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Death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mother and Queen Dowager

Following Her Majesty's death, the Vice-Chancellor wrote to the Private Secretary to Her Majesty The Queen as follows:

It is with particular sadness that I write again to ask you to convey to The Queen our sincere condolences on the death of a close member of Her Majesty's family. We were profoundly shocked to learn of Queen Elizabeth's passing.

Queen Elizabeth played a long and full part in the life of our University and its Colleges, as she did in the life of our nation. She was an honorary graduate over fifty years ago, and indeed that very special event in 1948 marked the occasion on which women were for the first time admitted to full degrees of the University, as well as the return of pageantry after the austere years of war. Her Majesty was closely associated with Queens' and Girton Colleges and her regular visits to both over many years were greatly enjoyed by young and old alike, and will be long remembered by all of us who were privileged to be involved.

More widely we all have our personal recollections of Queen Elizabeth's charm, grace, and wit, and the high example she set to the nation in peace and war.

I know that Her Majesty will be receiving innumerable tributes to her mother from all parts of the world. I hope that ours will testify to our appreciation of Queen Elizabeth's immense contribution to our life and work, and the deep personal sense of loss that we feel. Our thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty at this very sad time.

The following reply was received:

The Queen has been deeply touched by the many messages of sympathy received after the death of her mother, Queen Elizabeth.

Her Majesty would like to thank you for so kindly sending words of comfort at this sad time.

The Vice-Chancellor and Lady Broers attended the Funeral Service in Westminster Abbey on 9 April. A memorial service was held in Great St Mary's Church at 2 p.m. on Saturday, 13 April.1

1 See also p. 696.

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Cambridge University Reporter, Wednesday 24 April 2002
Copyright © 2002 The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge.