University News Last updated 24 April 2023
Ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III, Bethan Challoner, Alumni Communications Officer, delved into the archives at Birmingham City University (BCU) to find BCU's connections to the King, including visits from the Royal Family over the years.
Bethan writes: As an Alumni Communications Officer at BCU, I’m often lucky enough to be able to explore our incredible library archives, which house 180 years’ worth of information, photos, and everything in between, documenting BCU’s remarkable journey.
Ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III, I went back into the University archives to find out about our royal connections here at BCU. From visits to the School of Jewellery to opening new facilities at City South, the Royal Family have often enjoyed themselves across our campuses.
Royal Visit for New School
In November 1993, the King visited our School of Jewellery (see photo above) at its temporary base at the Jewellery Business Centre in Hockley, a centre owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. During his visit, he was shown some of the School’s computer-controlled equipment by the Head of School at the time, Professor Gerald Whiles.
The King, then Prince Charles, provided the foreword for the School’s Centenary Exhibition Catalogue, and was presented with a pair of cufflinks designed and made by one of the School’s recent graduates, who was about to start their own business in the Jewellery Quarter.
Photo from Newsline, January 1994 edition (BCU Archives)
A Royal Cartoon
The work of Tchavdar Nicolov, who was completing a master’s course in Cartoon Imagery in 1994, had one of his cartoons of King Charles, then Prince Charles, published in the June issue of ‘Monarchy’, the Journal of the Monarchist League.
The cartoon depicted the Prince of Wales shaking hands with a Welsh dragon.
The King later sought out the original of the cartoon, and on receiving it as a gift from the student, he sent his ‘sincere thanks’.
Photo from Newsline, November 1994 edition (BCU Archives)
Return to the School of Jewellery
Back in April 2000, the King returned to the School of Jewellery as part of a tour of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.
The King, then Prince Charles, and David Lunts, Chief Executive of The Prince’s Foundation, were given a tour of the building by the Head of School at the time, Professor Norman Cherry.
The King addressed distinguished guests at the reception that followed the tour, and was presented with three sets of cufflinks at the School to commemorate his visit to the Jewellery Quarter.
Photo from Newsline, April 2000 edition (BCU Archives)
Creating a greener future presentations
Back in 2010, BCU graduates presented to the King, then the Prince of Wales, ideas about creating a greener future. They were given the responsibility of leading pupils from local schools in discussion groups, who later presented their ideas to the King.
One of the ideas was that employers and heads of organisations should lead by example, such as when possible using public transport or cycling.
After the presentation, the King spent time viewing stalls on display at Millennium Point, including one that showcased BCU’s research into turning algae into biofuel.
Royal Seal of Approval
In November 2014, King Charles once again returned to the School of Jewellery with Camilla, Queen Consort.
Then The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, they admired a range of student work at the School before meeting staff and students and having a private meeting to discuss the Jewellery Quarter’s regeneration, in which his charity, The Prince’s Trust, had been involved.
After the tour, the King and Queen Consort were introduced to School of Jewellery alumnus and award-winning artisan and goldsmith, Jack Row, who presented each of them with a limited-edition handcrafted silver fountain pen.
Photo from Aspire Magazine, Spring 2015 edition (BCU Archives)
Royal Opening at the Conservatoire
In February 1995, Prince Edward, now the Duke of Edinburgh, opened a new extension to the Birmingham Conservatoire.
He was taken on a tour of the extension, which included twenty practice rooms, a lecture theatre and rehearsal space, and seven large teaching studios, as well as a new library, with the aim to increase student numbers by 50% by the new millennium.
Photo from Newsline, February 1995 edition (BCU Archives)
Prince Edward becomes Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s Royal Patron
In March 2016, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, was announced as Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s first Royal Patron. Then the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward’s decision to become a Royal Patron of the Conservatoire reflected his great interest in the arts in both his public role and private life.
The practice of members of the Royal Family lending their names to organisations through formal patronages is thought to have been around for about 300 years. Patronages generally reflect the interests of the member of the Royal Family involved.
Royal Welcome at the Conservatoire
In June 2017, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, then the Earl of Wessex, was the guest of honour at the Conservatoire.
He was treated to a special musical performance before being taken on a guided tour of the new state-of-the-art facilities that were under construction at the Conservatoire's new home on Jennens Road in Birmingham city centre.
Photo from BCU website, June 2017.
Royal Sell Out
In March 2018, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, then the Earl of Wessex, was present when the new Royal Birmingham Conservatoire building was officially declared open at its Royal Opening Gala Concert.
His Royal Highness oversaw a plaque unveiling ceremony prior to the performance in his honour, which included the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s Symphony Orchestra and Chorus conducted by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s (CBSO) Music Director, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla.
Princess Anne at City South
In 2001, Princess Anne arrived at our City South Campus on Westbourne Road to open the University’s new Centre for Defence Medicine (CDM) after winning a major contract to train military nursing and healthcare professionals.
The £30 million CDM was officially opened by the Princess Royal in April 2001.
Photo from Newsline, May/June 2001 edition (BCU Archives)
All images copyright of BCU Archives.