Queen’s College Cambridge

Queens’ was founded by Queen Margaret of Anjou (Henry VI) and Queen Elizabeth Woodville (Edward IV). Queens Anne Neville (Richard III), Elizabeth of York and Lady Margaret Beaufort (Henry VII) and Catherine of Aragon (Henry VIII) were also active Patronesses.

All these queens consort were termed “Foundresse and Patronesse” in their lifetimes. Though visits by Elizabeth I and Queen Anne are recorded, the active association of queens with the college seems to have lapsed during the turbulent final years of Henry VIII’s reign.

Queen Mary of Teck (George V) visited and seemed set to revive the ancient association, but her husband died before antyhing formal could be settled, so it was not until 1948, the quincentenary of the College, that a link was re-established when Queen Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (George VI) agreed to become Patroness.

She visited many times and the College has the right to fly her personal standard once a year. After the Queen Mother’s death, Her Majesty the Queen graciously agreed to take on the patronage – the first Queen Regnant in the College’s history to do so. She visited in 2005.

The College, arguably Cambridge’s most picturesque, boasts buildings from every century since the fifteenth.