Princess Anne paid tribute to her late father, Prince Philip, as she celebrated a milestone for one of the institutions closest to her heart.
The Princess Royal attended a special reception at St James’s Palace on June 11 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
A long-time champion of engineering herself, Anne, who has been a Royal Fellow of the Academy since 2010, met a number of pioneering young engineers at the event, including Lily Owuye, David MacDonald and Kitty Chia-Chi Liao.
The occasion also provided an opportunity for the princess to reflect on Prince Philip’s enduring influence.
The Duke of Edinburgh played a key role in establishing the Academy, hosting its first meeting at Buckingham Palace with 130 engineers and helping to champion the profession at the highest level.
In a moving birthday message, Anne honored her father’s legacy by recalling his belief that engineering affects “the lives of every individual, from cradle to grave.”
Looking ahead, the Princess challenged engineers to tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems, from health inequalities to national security and emerging technology challenges.
“As a profession, you have an obligation to build on these achievements and transform your collective creativity, expertise and ambition into a future that benefits us all,” she said.
“No profession is better placed to shape the world of tomorrow. »
