Heriot-Watt University congratulates The King and Queen Camilla

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Charles and Camilla at Heriot-Watt's School of Textiles and Design in 2013
Charles and Camilla at Heriot-Watt's School of Textiles and Design in 2013

Heriot-Watt University extends congratulations to His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla on the occasion of the Coronation. 

In his congratulatory message, Professor Richard A Williams, the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University said:  

“On behalf of Heriot-Watt University and our community, I extend our warmest congratulations to King Charles III and Queen Camilla on the occasion of the Coronation. 

“We wish Their Majesties every success in their continued dedication to the British people, and support for education and society.”  

The University takes great pride in our longstanding association with The King and his family. As the former Prince of Wales, King Charles III, along with his sister Anne, The Princess Royal, presented Heriot-Watt University last year with the highest accolade in UK education. 

Professor Williams, along with Professor Sir Geoff Palmer, the University’s Chancellor, and Professor Julian Jones, a leading figure in photonics research and Senior Deputy Principal at Heriot-Watt, collected the Queen's Anniversary Prize for advancing photonics technology at a ceremony held in St James's Palace, London.  

This was the fourth time the University has won the Queen's Anniversary Prize in its history. 

Professor Williams said the King had always taken an active interest in public life as the Prince of Wales, and it had been a great honour to meet him and the Duchess of Cornwall on a number of important occasions for the University. 

In 2013, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall visited Heriot-Watt’s School of Textiles and Design at Galashiels in the Scottish Borders. The royal couple looked at textile designs created by students in the School’s Weave Workshop and were presented with a knitted Scottish cashmere blanket created by local designers. This featured motifs of the local textile industry and the Heriot-Watt University coat of arms – an oak tree – with the words, ‘From Little Acorns, Mighty Oaks Grow’.  

The visit was part of an itinerary looking at different aspects of the textile industry in the Scottish Borders and reflected his majesty’s support for wool as a sustainable resource that supports sheep farmers around the world.  

The King is the global Patron of The Campaign for Wool, which educates consumers about the benefits of wool and supports the wool industry. 

Most recently, in his first New Year Honours List – the New Year Honours List 2023 – King Charles bestowed an Honour on Professor Heather McGregor, CBE, Provost and Vice-Principal of Heriot-Watt’s Dubai campus. 

Professor McGregor was made a Dame of the British Empire for services to education and business and heritage in Scotland. She is among the first to be recognised with the title Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) by King Charles III. 

Heriot-Watt’s Malaysia campus also received a royal visit in 2019, by the King’s brother, His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. He was launching an MBA partnership between the University's Edinburgh Business School and The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation.  

One of the most important royal connections in Heriot-Watt’s history is the Royal Charter, which the University was awarded in 1966 by King Charles’ late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. This gave Heriot-Watt its University status, and was awarded in recognition of our long-standing heritage, strengths, and experience of delivering high quality education.