Other Associations
Christ's Hospital's Links with the Monarchy
A very ancient custom is that of the Senior Grecian (Head Boy or Girl) presents a Loyal Address to the monarch upon first entering the City of London. This is said to have been first carried out by Saint Edmund Campion in 1553.
Her Majesty The Queen, Patron of Christ's Hospital, entering St Paul's Cathedral for her Coronation Thanksgiving Service in 1953.
The tall man in the centre of the picture is HLO Flecker, Headmaster of Christ’s Hospital, Horsham, with on his right the Senior Grecian and on his left the Head Girl and Miss West, Headmistress of Christ’s Hospital, Hertford. Behind stand four Grecians from Horsham and four Monitresses from Hertford.
Her Majesty The Queen is followed by The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret into St Paul's for the Coronation Thanksgiving Service in 1953.
Edward VI, the founder and Patron of Christ's Hospital signed the Charter in 1553 giving his support to this Charity.
Elizabeth I received a Loyal Address at Temple Bar. To this day, the Amicable Society of Blues marks her accession with a special dinner.
King James I received the Loyal Address at Barkingside.
Charles II was the first in a succession of monarchs to receive the Loyal Address at St Paul 's. This address, given by Senior Pupil James Hewlett, is held at St Paul 's Library.
Charles II was influenced by Samuel Pepys, a governor of Christ's Hospital, to establish the Royal Mathematical School at Christ's Hospital on 19 August 1673. This occasion is commemorated in the historical painting by Antonio Verrio which hangs in Dining Hall at Christ's Hospital, Horsham.
Subsequent monarchs received the Loyal Address at St Paul's. Queen Victoria was a real supporter of Christ's Hospital. She was a Governor and presented pupils to the School. She also invited pupils from the Royal Mathematical School to display their maritime paintings each year in the drawing room, either at Windsor or Buckingham Palace.
Edward VII, as Prince of Wales, laid the Foundation Stone on behalf of Queen Victoria , at Horsham, on 23 October 1897. His statue fronts the Old Science School at Christ's Hospital.
His son, George V, received the Loyal Address on the steps of St Paul's as he was entering the cathedral for a Thanksgiving Service after his coronation on 12 June 1911 and visited the School shortly after becoming President of Christ's Hospital in 1904. His son, Edward VIII visited the School to open the New Science Schools in 1930, subsequent to becoming President in 1919.
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, succeeded his father as President of Christ's Hospital in 1974. He has maintained a keen interest in the School ever since, opening the Counting House in 1985 and the Sports Centre in 1990.
See also The Great Book of the Amicable Society of Blues, privately printed for the Society at the University Press 01 January, 1929