The University was delighted to award HRH The Duchess of Cornwall with an honorary doctorate for her leadership in supporting patients, researchers and health professionals in the management of osteoporosis.
The honorary doctorate (Doctor of Science, honoris causa) was presented on Thursday 11th February 2016 in a unique ceremony held at the Nuffield Theatre.
PhD students were also in attendance to receive their doctoral degrees across a range of disciplines.
Upon receiving the award, the Duchess of Cornwall gave a short speech praising the internationally leading research into musculoskeletal disease carried out by the Faculty of Medicine and the University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.
Professor Cyrus Cooper, Director of the Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre at the University, has worked with The Duchess of Cornwall on a number of osteoporosis prevention projects. He said:
As President of the National Osteoporosis Society, The Duchess of Cornwall has been a champion for all who work with, or suffer from, this debilitating disorder. The excellence of the clinical service and research programme here at the University would not have been possible without the encouragement and support that she has given.
Professor Sir Christopher Snowden, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University, presided over the ceremony.
Sir Christopher said: “We are delighted to award The Duchess of Cornwall an honorary degree. Her dedication to helping people with osteoporosis is an inspiration and we are honoured she has accepted this award.”
