Princess Anne officially opens Gloucestershire's city campus

Princess Anne has arrived in King’s Square to mark the official opening of the University of Gloucestershire’s new City Campus, a landmark moment for the city and its growing student population.

Sitting right in the heart of Gloucester, the new campus is designed to breathe fresh life into the area, bringing students, staff, and innovation straight into the city centre.

The Princess Royal was greeted with warm smiles, firm handshakes, and a line-up of civic leaders clearly delighted by her presence. 

She cut the ribbon on 16 January at the £75 million development once a destination for department-store shoppers.

Dame Clare Marchant DBE, Vice-Chancellor of the University said: “We are immensely proud of City Campus as a city-centre and officially opening the building in the presence of Her Royal Highness is a fitting milestone for its development.”

92 year old Edna Lee, who worked at the former Debenhams store for 64 years was “thrilled” to see the building given a new lease of life. 

Edna also met Anne during the visit, describing their “very pleasant conversation” as one that made her feel like she was chatting with “a best friend.”

On Thursday, The Princess Royal opened the South Coast Institute of Technology’s ‘SMART Centre’ in Southampton. 

The futuristic hub is born from a powerhouse partnership between two universities, four local colleges, and leading businesses. 

The aim is set to turbocharge students’ skills in maritime, engineering, and digital technologies.