Congratulating the Chancellor on the 50th anniversary of his appointment

Chancellor, it is always a great honour to share our graduation ceremonies with you. This year, however, our celebrations carry a particular significance.

In just one week’s time, it will be 50 years to the day since Your Royal Highness was formally appointed Chancellor of the University of Surrey.

On behalf of our whole University community, may I offer you our warmest congratulations on this remarkable milestone. It stands as a testament to the unwavering support, dedication and encouragement that Your Royal Highness has given to the University over half a century.

I understand that, since attending your first graduation ceremony as Chancellor, Your Royal Highness has conferred degrees on more than 70,000 Surrey graduates. That is an extraordinary number, and one that speaks not only to the scale of your service, but to the many lives and futures with which you have been connected.

We are profoundly grateful to have Your Royal Highness as our Chancellor and as such a loyal champion of the University. Your steadfast belief in the power of higher education, in the importance of research that makes a difference, and in the value of strong and productive partnerships has meant a great deal to Surrey.  

During your time as Chancellor, the University has grown in ambition, reputation and global reach, while our graduates have gone on to make their mark in communities, professions and industries around the world.

Chancellor, thank you for your continued support, guidance and service to the University of Surrey. We are deeply honoured by your association with us, and delighted to mark this exceptional anniversary with you today.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in offering His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent our warmest congratulations and our most sincere thanks.