Archives & Library – “Long may She Reign”: Westminster College and its relationship with Royalty 

On 6 February 1952, HRH Princess Elizabeth was proclaimed as Elizabeth II: Queen of Great Britain, its remaining Empire, and the rapidly growing Commonwealth. Westminster College, located as it was in the heart of London, was within earshot of the tolling of Big Ben as part of the King’s funerary procession on the 15th of the month, just nine days later. This February marks seventy years since the Queen’s accession to the throne, and the start of her Platinum Jubilee year. To mark this occasion, we explore the relationship between Westminster College and royalty which, throughout its operation, saw the rule of six monarchs from Queen Victoria to Elizabeth II.

Westminster College first opened its doors at 130 Horseferry Road in October 1851: the year of the Great Exhibition. Writing in The Westminsterian in 1947, one student records that its gatehouse was ‘carved with the Imperial Initials’ of Queen Victoria, physically reminding all students of Westminster who was on the throne when the College was established. These same students later lined the street outside the main gates in a symbol of respect following her death in 1901.

The next reference to royalty in the College archive can be found in the logbooks of Principal H. B. Workman, who records the coronation of George V in June 1911, and its surrounding holiday, in his reflections on that term (above, left). According to College legend, George V later visited Horseferry Road during the First World War. Unfortunately for those who like to shroud the College history in glory, this was to visit the Australian forces stationed at the College during the First World War (above, right), rather than to visit the educational institution whose buildings were situated there.  

Throughout the next half century, relations with the royal family continued to be peripheral, with events throughout the city, but never inside the College walls. John Bridge (later one of Westminster’s most famous alumni), noted that royal events were among some of the most memorable for his time at College, remarking that the ‘period 1934-38 was noteworthy for the number of important Royal events – the 1935 Jubilee celebrations, the Royal Wedding and the King’s funeral.’ The coronation of George VI touched the College similarly – its rear quad was utilised as a car park, presumably because of its closeness to Westminster Abbey.  

The one and only visit by a member of the royal family to Westminster College occurred in 1951, when Princess Elizabeth visited as part of the College centenary programme. As she arrived, the College flag was lowered, and the Royal Standard was raised. The Princess then addressed gathered crowds in the quad before touring the buildings, and meeting some members of staff. In her speech, the Princess commented on the fact that the Wesleyan Methodist Church had chosen to establish the College in a ‘poor and destitute area’, where there was ‘many uncared for children in need of teaching’ rather than in a location which carried an ‘atmosphere of academic calm’, as would have been expected. The Princess’ visit concluded with a rendition of the College Yell – something that is said to have shocked/surprised/scared her, depending on who you believe.  

Upon the death of George VI in 1952, Dennis Andrew (President of the Union Society) wrote a letter of condolence on behalf of the students, and a swift response was received, signed by Colonel Martin Charteris. Report of the accession of Elizabeth also featured in the Lent 1952 edition of The Westminsterian, followed by a full page photograph of the new Queen (top of page). Her coronation the following June received a similarly large entry, if only because the College students lined the streets surrounding their buildings and (once again) performed the ‘College Yell’, and were mistaken for the boys of Westminster School!  

When Westminster College relocated to Oxford in 1959, they tried to recruit a member of the royal family to attend its official opening on 21 May 1960 – asking first for The Queen, then the Duke of Edinburgh. The organisers were told first that The Queen could not visit the same institution twice so closely together – even if one visit had been prior to her ascension and to different buildings. The Duke of Edinburgh was apparently busy on the selected date. Despite this, a toast was made to the monarch at the end of lunch, with the menu cards simply noting ‘The Queen’.  

Prior to its merger with Oxford Brookes University in 2000, the only other significant royal event was that of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977. The College, now devoid of the lively atmosphere of London, did not line the streets and make such a noise that it was reported in national newspapers – as was the case for the Coronation. In fact, the only photographs in the College archive for that year are of sports matches and academic events.  

The seventieth anniversary of the Queen’s ascension this week will pass in similar quietness – if only because of the large-scale national events planned for the beginning of June. Despite this, an exhibition of archive material has been curated on campus, as a small marker of this momentous occasion.  

Thomas Dobson is Collections & Digitisation Officer at the OCMCH. The Westminster College logbooks of Principal H. B. Workman are available online, here.