The death of Her Majesty The Queen

The following email was sent to all staff and students following the announcement this evening (Thursday 8 September) of the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

This page will be updated with further information as appropriate. 

Dear Colleagues and Students,

As many of you will already be aware, the death has been announced this evening of Her Majesty The Queen.

The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral in Scotland at the age of 96.

This is a sad and poignant moment for millions of people in this country, across the Commonwealth, and across the world. A remarkable and long-serving head of State, Her Majesty was also a deeply loved and cherished wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, and our thoughts are with all those affected by her loss at this time.

As a prominent Scottish and British institution, the University of St Andrews will follow a formal mourning protocol as a mark of respect. I have initiated that protocol today, and instructed that flags on University buildings should be lowered to half-mast.

We will send letters of condolence to His Majesty The King, and our alumni, Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. A formal Book of Condolence will be opened for signing at College Gate in North Street, St Andrews.

Work and study should continue as normal. Extra-curricular events and activities however should be considered carefully, taking account of the fact that the UK is now in a formal period of mourning.

I will write to you again about any further steps the University may take to mark the death, and when details of the state funeral are announced.

We are of course a broad and international community, and this news will impact different people in different ways. Our Chaplaincy is ready to offer support to any and all people affected by this sad news.

Professor Dame Sally Mapstone FRSE
Principal and Vice-Chancellor