A CHEERFUL Prince Charles joked about being stuck in traffic as he turned up late to open a new £30 million building at an Oxford University college today.
Arriving through Trinity College’s Broad Street gates in style in a blue electric Audi, the Prince of Wales apologised for being 40 minutes late after being caught in heavy traffic following accidents on both the M4 and M40.
He joked: “I’ve now done a comprehensive tour of Reading and Pangbourne. I feel awful that you were left waiting outside for me to arrive.”
AS IT HAPPENED: Oxford visited by Prince Charles
He was welcomed by the college’s President, Dame Hilary Boulding; Chancellor of the University of Oxford, Lord Patten; and Oxford’s Lord Mayor Mark Lygo, who showed him around the grounds before a ceremony to open the new Levine Building.
The new development is the first major upgrade of the college’s academic facilities in more than 50 years.
It provides world-class facilities for teaching, residential accommodation, public outreach and social activity including purpose-built teaching rooms, student bedrooms, a large flexible function room, and an informal study/community space with café.
It also features a state-of-the-art auditorium for lectures and performances.
The Prince was treated to a presentation in which Trinity students recounted their experiences of studying in Oxford, and their delight at having the new building.
The Prince praised those who had made the building possible, saying: “So many former students contributed to the fundraising campaign, no doubt because of their own memorable and life-changing experiences here and the desire to make that possible for others.
“Therefore I can only offer my warmest congratulations to the many people who contributed their talents and expertise to create a building worthy of this historic site.”
The Prince also praised the university’s academics, highlighting their work on the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine. He said: “I can only congratulate you all on the vital work you do and the generosity of spirit that underpins it. That same generosity has clearly infused the development of this building.”
The Prince was introduced to oil magnate Peter Levine, a former student whose donation in memory of his parents is acknowledged in the naming of the building which was designed by Hugh Petter of ADAM Architecture.
Second-year student Daisy Gosal, 20, was among the students to share their thoughts on university life with the Prince.
She said: “We only found out about Prince Charles coming a week ago, so it was quite a surprise.
“He asked us if we had had lots of rehearsals, to which I said we’d had a little too much rehearsing which he laughed at.
"We also chatted about classics, as that’s what I’m studying and he has an interest in it too. He was really lovely and it was such a nice event.”
Dame Hilary said: “It was a huge privilege to welcome His Royal Highness to Trinity College to launch this wonderful building which will transform what we can offer our students and academics, as well as Oxfordshire school students and the wider Oxford community.”
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