His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, will be visiting the University of Toronto in early October to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Massey College.
“The whole college has been invited to come,” said John Fraser, Master of Massey. “It’s going to be a celebration of a number of important events.”
The Duke originally laid the cornerstone of the Massey College building at a ceremony in 1962. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Vincent Massey’s appointment as Governor General of Canada.
Massey, as well as being the founder of the college, was the first Canadian-born Governor General.
The ceremony for the Duke will be held on the morning of October 10, and he is expected to visit for approximately 45 minutes.
He will be made an Honorary Senior Fellow of the college.
Senior Fellows are usually professors from the University of Toronto, but Fraser was quick to point out that the position is an honorary one.
“We’re not expecting him to drop in at the bar,” he said.
The Duke has a long history of involvement with education, and founded the Duke of Edinburgh Awards in 1956, which sponsor personal and social development activities for young people.
Prince Philip became active in philanthropy after his distinguished career with the British Navy was interrupted by his wife Queen Elizabeth II’s ascent to the throne.
Along with the Duke of Edinburgh Award, he founded the World Wide Fund for Nature, an organization which works to preserve fragile natural environments.
An official program will be made available soon with more information about the event.
