Bath Abbey will be the venue for the installation of HRH The Earl of Wessex Prince Edward as the University of Bath’s fifth Chancellor today.
The formal ceremony will see a procession of 240 dignitaries and senior members of University staff leading the Chancellor from the city’s Guildhall to the Abbey.
Guests at the installation will include the Countess of Wessex, Bath’s Mayor Councillor Malcolm Lees, Bath MP Don Foster, and a host of University Honorary Graduates including Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis CBE.
Also in the packed audience will be Bath alumni, and current students and staff from all departments at the University.
As Chancellor, Prince Edward is the Chief Officer of the University, and will confer degrees at graduation, preside over meetings of the Court, and otherwise represent the University.
As part of the ceremony HRH The Earl of Wessex will be presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the University.
His first formal duty as Chancellor will be to present honorary degrees to two other guests – Paralympic swimming superstar Ellie Simmonds and the recently retired Bishop of Bath & Wells the Right Reverend Peter Price.
Bath alumni from around the world will be able to follow this momentous occasion as the installation will be streamed live at: www.bath.ac.uk/about/chancellor
After the formal ceremony guests will be invited to the University’s Claverton Campus to join the new Chancellor and Countess of Wessex, staff and students at an ‘Open House’ celebration.
Hosted in the University’s world-leading Sports Training Village, the afternoon will see a range of exhibitions, participation events and performances in celebration of Bath’s research, students and staff.
Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bath, said: “As Chancellor, His Royal Highness will make a major contribution to the life of the University and will be an excellent advocate for us both nationally and internationally.
“As well as the formal installation ceremony, the day will offer a wonderful opportunity for the Earl and Countess of Wessex, our guests, and our staff and students to celebrate the very best of our University.”
Whilst on campus the Chancellor will formally open the University’s newest teaching building, aptly named ‘The Chancellors’ Building’.
Completed in time for the new academic year, The Chancellors’ Building offers a dramatic new hub of learning and teaching on campus, and includes facilities ranging from twin 350-seat lecture theatres to 30-seat group lecture rooms with state of the art audio visual provision.
