Duke of York takes on Patrick Stewart’s starring role in Huddersfield

THE DUKE of York has been installed as the new chancellor of the University of Huddersfield, taking on the role from Hollywood star Sir Patrick Stewart.
The Duke of York has been installed as the new Chancellor of Huddersfield University. He appeared with outgoing Chancellor Sir Patrick Stewart and Vice Chancellor Bob Cryan. Picture by Simon HulmeThe Duke of York has been installed as the new Chancellor of Huddersfield University. He appeared with outgoing Chancellor Sir Patrick Stewart and Vice Chancellor Bob Cryan. Picture by Simon Hulme
The Duke of York has been installed as the new Chancellor of Huddersfield University. He appeared with outgoing Chancellor Sir Patrick Stewart and Vice Chancellor Bob Cryan. Picture by Simon Hulme

Andrew took up his new post today during an awards ceremony presided over by Sir Patrick who had been chancellor since 2004. Both men received awards at the event in Huddersfield with the Duke presented with an honorary doctorate of the university, and Stewart, famed for his roles in the X-Men and Star Trek: The Next Generation movies, given the title Emeritus Chancellor.

The Hollywood actor grew up in the village of Mirfield a few miles from Huddersfield, and during the ceremony he said if the Duke was unable to fulfil a commitment he would be happy to step in. Andrew also has a strong connection with the institution, as he became its patron in 2013 and opened The Duke of York Young Entrepreneur Centre where a team of business advisers work with student entrepreneurs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The centre also hosts the annual Duke of York Young Entrepreneur Awards, designed to recognise the best business ideas by students at Yorkshire’s universities. Andrew has also supported the university in recruiting overseas students and met alumni in countries like Vietnam and Indonesia.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bob Cryan, claimed it is a “great honour...to have a member of the Royal Family at the head of our university”.