The passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II

It is with deep sadness that we record the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Her longevity and unwavering dedication to service for the Common Good can only be admired. Her life of dignity and steadfast leadership over so many years will stand the test of time and acts as a tremendous example to us all.

We reflect with deep fondness the direct connection between Queen Elizabeth II and Glasgow Caledonian University.  Indeed, one of our founding institutions, Queen’s College, was renamed in honour of Her Majesty in 1975.

Queen Elizabeth’s special connection to the College stretched back further in time, to December 1944, when it was still the Glasgow and West of Scotland College of Domestic Science. At that time, the young HRH Princess Elizabeth, became College Patroness − it was the first such office to be accepted by Princess Elizabeth in Scotland, and it was the first time in its 70-year history that the College had been so honoured by a member of the reigning Royal Family.

Today, we share the great sorrow many will be feeling across Scotland, the UK, and around the world. For more than 70 years, which for so many of us, including me, has been the whole of our lifetime, Queen Elizabeth II has stood as a global beacon of hope in the face of adversity, and continuity in an ever-changing world. With an assured moral compass her outstanding public service has been a guiding light for us all.

We wish King Charles III our sincere best wishes as he ascends to the throne, taking on the role of monarch at a time of unprecedented global challenges and opportunities. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this time, as we reflect on the past and look forward to the future.

Professor Pamela Gillies CBE FRSE, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Glasgow Caledonian University