Duke of Edinburgh formally inducted into the Royal Society of Edinburgh
His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was formally inducted as a Royal Honorary Fellow of the RSE on Thursday 3 July.
His Royal Highness received the RSE’s highest honour in recognition of his long-standing public service and commitment to creating opportunities for young people. The Duke was inducted by the RSE’s President, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli PRSE.
His Royal Highness has devoted much of his public life to championing young people and expanding opportunities for their development across the world. The Duke is Patron of more than 70 charities and organisations across the arts, sport and education, including the National Youth Theatre, British Paralympic Association, Northern Ballet, and the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland.
In 2023, His Royal Highness marked 20 years as Patron of the Central Caribbean Marine Institute, a research centre focused on preserving coral reefs and marine biodiversity.
Conferred the title of The Duke of Edinburgh by the RSE’s patron King Charles III, His Royal Highness also leads The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, where he has served as Chairman of Trustees since 2015.
In his address to the RSE Fellows and members of the Young Academy of Scotland, His Royal Highness said:
“I thank the Fellows of The Royal Society of Edinburgh for this great honour of inducting me into your society to join your ranks. I am proud to join and recognise this institution’s rich history and its unwavering commitment to the advancement of knowledge for good, and it has been wonderful to learn about the breadth of this work today.”
Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli PRSE said:
“It is an immense honour to welcome His Royal Highness to the Royal Society of Edinburgh today.
“His Royal Highness has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the health and happiness of young people across such a wide range of areas of our society and latterly has taken on the leadership of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation.
“Today’s celebration continues an unbroken and vital connection between Scotland’s National Academy and the Royal Family, one which I am deeply proud to pay tribute to today.”
Following the induction His Royal Highness presented a RSE Royal Medal to Professor Peter Kennedy FRSE, Burton Chair of Neurology at the University of Glasgow. The Royal Medal is the RSE’s highest recognition of achievement with only 52 having been presented since their inception in 2000.
Professor Kennedy is also Honorary Senior Research Fellow in the Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation at the University of Glasgow. He was awarded the Royal Medal for his contribution in distinguishing the major human brain cell types, paving the way to significant diseases and infections, as well as identification of a novel therapy for African trypanosomiasis, known as sleeping sickness.
The Duke of Edinburgh added:
“I am delighted that the Society has recognised the work of Peter Kennedy today. It is a great honour and privilege to be able to present him a RSE Royal Medal in recognition of his important work.”
RSE Royal Medals were instituted by Her late Majesty The Queen. They were awarded annually under her reign to individuals who achieved distinction and of international repute in any of the following categories: life sciences; physical, engineering and informatic sciences; arts, humanities and social sciences; business, public service and public engagement.
Professor Peter Kennedy FRSE said:
“I am delighted, surprised and honoured to receive the Royal Medal of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, especially in view of the great eminence of many of the previous awardees.
“This award also reflects very well on my numerous scientific collaborators with whom I have had the good fortune to work over the last few decades.”