RCS England statement on Her Majesty The Queen
09 Sep 2022
The Royal College of Surgeons of England is saddened at the death of our Visitor, Her Majesty The Queen. Visitor is the equivalent of a patron, but is a much older term reflecting our College’s history and heritage.
Professor Neil Mortensen, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England said:
“We have been honoured to have Her Majesty The Queen as our Visitor. We offer our sincere thanks for her support over the years, for the College, the profession of surgery and the NHS. Most importantly, her life of personal dedication to public service will be fondly remembered. We send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time.”
The flag is flying at half-mast, and the President is sending our condolences to the Royal Family.
A book of condolence and remembrance will be available in the College’s atrium from Tuesday 13 September for Members, Fellows and staff to sign.
Her Majesty was made an Honorary Fellow of RCS England in 1951. There was a ceremony at the College where she received her Diploma and signed the Roll of Honorary Fellows. She arrived at the College and was greeted by then President, Sir Cecil Wakely and Vice Presidents, P.H. Mitchiner and Professor James Paterson Ross.
In May 1953, The Queen attended a ceremony for the College re-building after it was severely damaged during the Blitz in 1941.
Her Majesty visited the College on several occasions, including with her beloved late husband. On the 7th November 1962, The Queen and Prince Philip were invited to the College to re-open the Hunterian Museum. On the 21st November 1989, they visited and were accompanied by then President of the College, Terence English, and Vice Presidents, Phyllis George and David Evans, and the College’s Secretary, Roger Duffett. They had a tour of the Hunterian Museum, with the curators Professor Cohen, Professor Miles and Dr Grigson. They also toured the College Library and signed the Visitors’ Book.
