Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, patron of the BCS for its centenary year, attended the centenary annual conference at Manchester Central Conference Centre on Tuesday 7 June, accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Sir Warren Smith. Guests included the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Donna Ludford and the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester Lorraine Worsely-Carter.
Her Royal Highness was introduced to key participants in the conference including BCS officers and staff, patient representatives, officers from BCS affiliated societies and related organisations, and international speakers and guests. BCS president Professor John Greenwood guided the royal party to demonstrations of TAVI and exercise stress echocardiography in the educational hall.
The Princess Royal then addressed the plenary session in a wide ranging and universally well received speech, which highlighted the historic achievements of the society as well as the many challenges that lie ahead, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her Royal Highness emphasised the importance of inclusivity within the workforce, and particularly the responsibility to encourage more women into the specialty. In its one hundredth year, the visit from The Princess Royal was the highlight of a memorable three days, which included five centenary lectures and The Centenary Walkway, a series of 40 banners featuring key facts, figures and folk from our history.
