The Quad is an iconic building that has long been at the historic centre of King’s - it was here that Rosalind Franklin's 'Photo 51' was taken and Nobel-prize winning work was conducted.
Professor Shitij Kapur, Vice-Chancellor & President of King’s College London
06 March 2025
King's welcomes The Princess Royal for official opening of the Quad
HRH The Princess Royal, in her role as Chancellor of the University of London, officially opened the Quadrangle (Quad) building at King’s College London.
HRH The Princess Royal, in her role as Chancellor of the University of London, has met with senior leadership, researchers and students to officially open the Quadrangle (Quad) building at King’s College London.
The Quad provides a teaching home for King’s Department of Engineering. It provides cutting-edge facilities and spaces for students and researchers to discover and research, enabling the next generation of engineers to find solutions to real world problems.
Redeveloping the Quad was one of the major initiatives in King’s Vision 2029, which sets out the University's bold ambitions for the future, looking towards its 200th anniversary.
Professor Shitij Kapur, Vice-Chancellor & President of King’s College London, said: “It’s an honour to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to officially open the Quadrangle."
"Its remarkable transformation represents the evolution of our Strand campus and our ambitions for the future as we create new opportunities for our growing community and future leaders in science and engineering. I would like to thank Her Royal Highness for presiding at today’s unveiling ceremony.”
During the visit, Her Royal Highness was shown some of the different research facilities, including laboratories and the Maker Space, where she met with researchers to learn more about some of the research and education taking place.
Academics demonstrated smart wearable technology and prosthetics, AI-enabled robotics in next-generation spacesuits, and research taking place on sustainable batteries.
She was also invited to unveil a plaque to mark the official opening of the building.
Professor Rachel Mills CBE, Senior Vice President (Academic), said: “From sustainable transport to robotics and AI, the Quad building is a hub of interdisciplinary research activity where engineers create solutions for important real-world challenges. We’re proud to be able to demonstrate some of our innovative research to HRH The Princess Royal today.”
Professor Rachel Bearon, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences (NMES), said: “Today’s visit shows some of the fascinating and vital research taking place. The Quad has given researchers and students fantastic new spaces to experiment in, allowing them to flourish and develop innovative solutions to current and future global challenges.”
Her Royal Highness was accompanied by Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE, His Majety’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London; Professor Wendy Thomson CBE, Vice-Chancellor, University of London; Professor Shitij Kapur, Vice-Chancellor and President, King’s College London; Professor Rachel Mills CBE, Senior Vice President (Academic), King’s College London; Professor Sir Bashir Al-Hashimi, Vice President (Research & Innovation), King's College London; and Professor Rachel Bearon, Executive Dean, Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences (NMES).