Queen’s University’s President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer has travelled to Buckingham Palace to be formally knighted by the Princess Royal.

Sir Ian was awarded the honour of Knight Bachelor in the King’s Honours list in June 2023 in recognition of his services to education and Northern Ireland's economy.

Speaking about the honour, Sir Ian said:

“I am extremely proud of our staff and our students at Queen’s and the positive contribution they make to our economy, our people and our society.

“Today is a proud day for me and my family, and I am privileged to accept this knighthood. This is an honour for me but, more than that, it is a recognition of the wider effort of my colleagues who I have been fortunate enough to have been surrounded by. Their support, contribution and commitment has helped make Queen’s a hugely successful and well-regarded university and I thank them for that.”

Congratulating Sir Ian, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the University Senate, Dr Stephen Kingon, said:

“I am delighted to congratulate our President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer, on his investiture.

“This honour recognises the variety of his achievements throughout his career, from his ground-breaking research and international reputation in obstetric medicine to driving forward the international profile of Queen’s and enhancing collaboration in third level education. Our university and our society have benefited from Sir Ian’s leadership and enterprise, and we are proud of the impact he has had on our university.

“The congratulations of the entire Queen’s community go to Sir Ian and Lady Audrey on this much deserved recognition.”