We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and offer our deepest sympathies to the Royal Family.
Her Majesty The Queen supported many of the CCI partners in different ways, including patronage of RSPB (the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) – the UK member of BirdLife International.
RSPB Chief Executive Beccy Speight, said “Her Majesty showed unwavering support as the patron of the RSPB, for which we are hugely grateful. Her role as our patron reflected her dedication to championing charitable causes and the unstinting devotion to public duty she showed throughout her long reign.”
Former Director of RSPB Scotland, Stuart Housden, recalls her passion for the wildlife “The Queen was acutely aware of the need to restore natural habitats, for the benefit of wildlife, people and the planet, and through numerous tree planting projects, including The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative to mark her Platinum Jubilee, she was instrumental in encouraging conservation efforts across the world.
Queen Elizabeth II also served as Patron to Fauna & Flora International for almost 70 years. She agreed to inherit her father’s mantle as Patron of the Fauna Preservation Society (which later became FFI) when she succeeded her father, King George VI in 1952. She held that position for the majority of her long and distinguished reign, before handing over the role to her grandson, HRH The Duke of Cambridge, in October 2020.
Mark Rose, Chief Executive of FFI, said: “Her Majesty The Queen held a deep appreciation of the wonders of the natural world. In her role as our Patron, she helped to galvanise international efforts to safeguard those treasures for future generations; an endeavour that today has expanded into a global movement to protect and restore nature. The importance of the support and encouragement of Her Majesty the Queen, in her role as patron, during a formative period for FFI and for the wider conservation movement, cannot be overstated.”
Queen Elizabeth II had a long association with the University of Cambridge through her family. Her father King George VI, two sons, Princes Charles and Edward, and two cousins, Princes William and Richard of Gloucester, all studied at Cambridge. A grandson, Prince William, was created Duke of Cambridge and spent a term studying at the University, while her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was an enthusiastic and supportive Chancellor from 1976 to 2011.
Emeritus Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz said: “I had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty The Queen on several occasions. When she opened buildings and attended major events in Cambridge, she always engaged warmly with our staff and students as well as showing a continued interest in the University.
“On each occasion it was an honour and pleasure to meet with her, particularly in the knowledge that she always valued Cambridge University’s contribution to the education and wellbeing of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.”
Our thoughts are with the Royal Family.
Selected Tributes from CCI partners
