The UK’s longest serving monarch was patron of many engineering institutions, including the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Her patronages also included the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the Royal Society, the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), and the Institution of Royal Engineers.
Reportedly describing engineering as “a noble profession… a modest profession, which tends not to blow its own trumpet”, the Queen’s involvement stretched back to her experiences during the Second World War, when she joined the Auxilliary Territorial Service as a subaltern. Her training as a mechanic included a driving and vehicle maintenance course at Aldershot.
Almost 70 years and immeasurable technological and engineering advancements later, the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering was first awarded in 2013. Supported by and affiliated with the Queen, the annual prize became the world’s most prestigious engineering accolade, with winners including the developers of GPS, LED lighting, and the Internet.
Following her death at Balmoral Castle on 8 September 2022, engineering institutions paid tribute.
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our patron Her Majesty The Queen.
“We send our sincere condolences to the Royal Family.
“The Queen saw huge advances in engineering in her 70-year reign.”
The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering
Lord Browne of Madingley FREng FRS, chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Foundation
“Trustees, judges and staff of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. Throughout her reign, Her Majesty has witnessed the profound impact that engineering developments have had on lives around the world, and her service and admiration to what she termed a ‘noble profession’ has been unwavering.
“From enlisting in the Auxiliary Territorial Service as a subaltern during World War II, to driving a tube train during the launch of the Victoria Line, and opening several bastions of modern engineering, such as the Severn Bridge, Channel Tunnel, and Diamond Light Source synchrotron facility, Her Majesty’s personal connection to engineering has been evident. In 2011, we were honoured when Her Majesty gave her name to the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, and in 2013 she awarded the inaugural prize to the inventors of the Internet and World Wide Web.
“We are proud to maintain the legacy of Her Majesty’s support to engineering by continuing not only to celebrate the greatest achievements in modern engineering, but also to encourage and inspire young people from across the world to follow their curiosity and take up the world’s toughest challenges as the engineers of tomorrow.”
The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Sir Julian Young KBE CB FREng CEng FIET
“On behalf of everyone at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and our global engineering community, we are saddened to learn of the death of HM The Queen, patron of the IET.
“Her Majesty was an unwavering advocate of engineering and technology and graciously consented her patronage to the Institution in 1953. During the IET’s 150th anniversary in 2021 she credited those within the profession as playing a key role in solving global challenges, as well as continuing to improve the lives of millions of people all over the world.
"We’re extremely grateful for The Queen’s loyal service over the last 70 years. Our greatest sympathies go out to the Royal Family."
The Royal Academy of Engineering
Professor Sir Jim McDonald FREng FRSE, president
“The trustee board, fellows and staff of the Royal Academy of Engineering are profoundly saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As the longest-lived British sovereign in history, she has seen enormous changes in engineering, science and technology during her lifetime, and has always shown an active interest in new developments. Indeed she has inaugurated many of the UK’s most important engineering projects, from the Channel Tunnel to the Diamond Light Source, and she was the first monarch to send an email.
“Through her steadfast public service, Queen Elizabeth has earned the respect and affection of generations of people in this country and all over the world. She has also helped to inspire new generations of future engineers by graciously allowing her name to be given to the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, which celebrates bold, ground-breaking engineering innovation of global benefit to humanity.
“Her Majesty’s late husband, HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was senior fellow of our academy and worked tirelessly to support its work right from its inception in 1976 as the Fellowship of Engineering. We are honoured that HRH The Princess Royal and HRH The Duke of Kent continue this work as our royal fellows.”
Professor Dame Ann Dowling OM DBE FREng FRS, past president
“I have the utmost admiration for Her Majesty The Queen, who has been a constant inspiration through my entire life, and I have had the privilege of meeting her on several occasions during my engineering career. I always found her extremely well informed and I appreciated her very practical interest in engineering and technology, as shown by her wartime work as a mechanic with the ATS.
“As an academy we were delighted to be able to name the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering in her honour to showcase groundbreaking engineering innovation that is of global benefit to humanity. Her Majesty’s evident interest in the visionary winners of the prize was always clear to see, and the prize has made a huge impact in terms of bringing engineering to new audiences around the world.”
The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology
“The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology mourns the death of its patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“The IMarEST sends its deepest condolences to the King and Queen Consort and the Royal Family. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. We thank the Queen for a life dedicated to public service and for her patronage of the institute and her support of marine professionals.”
Alastair Fischbacher, president
“I am profoundly saddened to hear the news of the Queen's passing. We are honoured and proud to have had her as patron of our institute and the thoughts and hearts of all our members and staff are with the Royal Family at this time.”
The Royal Aeronautical Society
“The president, trustees, council, and members of the Royal Aeronautical Society express their sadness and send their condolences to the Royal Family on the death of Her Majesty The Queen, our patron.
“We also send our sympathy and condolences to all the Queen’s people working in aerospace, aviation and space around the world, especially to our branches and divisions in the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia and our members across the Commonwealth.”
The Royal Society
Sir Adrian Smith, president
“The Royal Society is deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty The Queen.
“Over her six decades as our patron, she has seen great scientific progress, with many British scientists contributing to breakthroughs. It was a particular honour for the society to have Her Majesty participate in our 300th anniversary celebrations and attend the convocation of fellows marking the 350th anniversary of the society in 2010. Her contribution will be greatly missed.”
The Institution of Civil Engineers
Ed McCann, president
“The institution is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty the Queen. Our thoughts are with her children and family at this extremely difficult time.
“The Queen became patron of the institution upon her ascent to the throne in 1952 until 2017 when she stepped back from a number of patronages. She visited our headquarters at One Great George Street on several occasions. We are immensely grateful for her sustained support, and that of her family.
“Her Majesty has been a reassuring constant in a fast-changing world where most of us have known her as our only sovereign. I know I speak for many thousands of civil engineers around the world when I pay tribute to her extraordinary contribution.
“She will be greatly missed.”
Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.