King’s pays tribute to The Queen

09 September 2022 - A reflection on The Queen’s long association with the Trust

At King’s, we are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II yesterday afternoon (8 September 2022), aged 96.

A period of national mourning has now commenced, and today, candles will be lit in her memory in our chapels at King’s College Hospital and the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH). We have also lowered the flags at both King’s and the PRUH as a mark of respect.

At the Trust, we have a long association with The Queen, and it is one we are immensely proud of, as we saw during the recent Platinum Jubilee celebrations across our hospitals this summer.

In 1953, The Queen paid her first visit to King’s College Hospital as part of the Coronation Tour, meeting both patients and staff. In 1968, the Queen opened the Ruskin Wing, and in July 2003, the Golden Jubilee Wing (pictured), where a plaque commemorating the occasion can still be seen today.

Sir Hugh Taylor, King’s Chairman, and Professor Clive Kay, King’s Chief Executive, said: “The Queen has been a true constant in British life since succeeding King George VI in 1952, and has been our longest serving monarch. As a result, her passing will be difficult for many, many people, including colleagues, patients, and people living in the communities we serve.

“The Queen was rightly respected and admired nationally, and internationally, and here at King’s, and our deepest sympathies are with the Royal Family at this time.”