Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and St George’s, University of London

Published: 15 September 2022

During her 70 year reign, the Queen visited St George’s on three occasions including to open the site in which we currently reside in November 1980 and, most recently, to mark 250 years of teaching at St George’s in 2002.

These images, handpicked from St George’s Archives and Special Collections, tell the story of Queen Elizabeth II’s visits to our university.

1962

Queen Elizabeth II first visited St George’s in 1962 to, among other things, view the pioneering work being undertaken within the cardiac department developing pacemakers.

At the time, St George’s Hospital was based at Hyde Park Corner and teaching was solely devoted to training medical students.

Queen Elizabeth II is welcome to St George's Hospital Medical School in 1962.

Queen Elizabeth II speaks to staff at St George's during her visit in 1962.

Queen Elizabeth visiting St George's in 1962 with Lord Ingleby

1980

The Queen returned in 1980 when she opened St George’s at its current site in Tooting, south west London.

At the time the site was opened it was one of the principal teaching hospitals in the UK which it remains to this day.

Programme from the opening of St George's Hospital and Medical School by Her Majesty the Queen on Thursday 6 November 1980.

Newspaper clippings showing coverage of the opening of St George's Hospital and Medical School in 1980, by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Photographs from the opening of St George's, showing Queen Elizabeth II meeting staff.

Letter of thanks from Buckingham Palace following the Queen's visit in 1980.

2002

The final time Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II would visit St George’s was to mark 250 years of teaching and learning at our institution in 2002.

During her visit, The Queen was invited to unveil a sculpture commemorating 'Handing on Skills, Ideas and Ideals' which is still much admired today and can be seen at the University entrance.