Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal officially opened the University of Gloucestershire's new City Campus this Friday 16 January 2026.
During The Princess's visit to the site in the centre of Gloucester, she took time to meet university staff and students as she toured the building with Vice Chancellor Dame Clare Marchant DBE, taking in the new Gloucestershire Library, as well as learning spaces including the lecture theatre, art and wellbeing space, immersive room and classrooms.
She also chatted with Gloucester City Council leader Jeremy Hilton and former Debenhams employees, as they enjoyed tea and cake.
The Princess gave a short speech to the crowd gathered in the atrium – which included the Bishop of Gloucester, Right Reverend Rachel Treweek; Julie Kent MBE; Nick Gazzard OBE; former Gloucester Rugby player Ed Slater; Baroness Jacqui Smith; and Gloucester MP Alex McIntyre, as well as representatives from key project partners including Morgan Sindall and NHS Gloucestershire – where she praised the partnerships the university has built and encouraged everyone, no matter their age, to enjoy the new library.
She then unveiled a plaque to commemorate the opening and received flowers from former Debenhams employee, Edna Lee – who worked at the store for 64 years – before departing.
Dame Clare Marchant said: 'We’re thrilled that HRH The Princess Royal could join us to celebrate and mark
such an important milestone both for the university and the wider
community.
'We were proud to have an
opportunity to show The Princess Royal how we’ve collaborated with a range of
partners to sympathetically transform the former Debenhams building into a
cutting-edge location that is bringing benefits to our students, staff and local
people.
'It was fantastic to welcome so many
people from organisations who have played, and will continue to play, such key
roles in the development of City Campus and of course, meet former Debenhams
and Bon Marche employees for whom the iconic location holds so many fond
memories.'
The City Campus opened to students in August 2025 and is the new home of the Education, Psychology and Social Work programmes, as well as an Arts, Health and Wellbeing Centre and the new public library.
It has already won awards and delivered £44 million in social value, according to the University of Gloucestershire, with The Princess Royal's visit demonstrating the national significance of the project which, alongside The Forum, is helping to put Gloucester on the map.
