Princess Anne becomes chancellor of university

The Princess Royal was yesterday installed as the first chancellor of Scotland’s newest university.

After a weekend of celebrations for her mother’s Diamond Jubilee as Queen, Princess Anne travelled to the Highlands to accept the honour from the University of the Highlands and Islands.

The prestigious ceremony took place at Inverness Cathedral. She received her chancellor’s robe, a gown that has been specially created for the role.

The garment uses the purple and silver theme of the university’s existing academic robes.

Its shoulders are decorated with silver hazel nuts, catkins and leaves. The hazel is associated with wisdom in Celtic and Norse tradition.

The chancellor is the titular head of the university.

The Princess Royal accepted the role in November 2011, after the institution became a university. The role will be both ceremonial and ambassadorial.

One of Her Royal Highness’s first duties was to present former principal Professor Robert Cormack and chairman of the board of governors Colin MacKay CBE with honorary fellowships.