Royal Society marks 350th anniversary

The Royal Society has celebrated its 350th anniversary with a convocation at London’s Royal Festival Hall, attended by Her Majesty the Queen.

Around 700 of the society’s Fellows were present at the event last week, which was also attended by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince William and the Duke of Kent, among more than 1,000 other guests.

During the event, Royal Society president Martin Rees delivered an anniversary address, while guests were also given a first look at the society’s Summer Science Exhibition.

Prince William, who has been admitted to the society as a Fellow, praised the organisation for its contributions on a national and global scale.

He said: “It will be through science – that the world will meet and overcome the challenges of climate change, food security, water scarcity and pandemic disease.”

Earlier this month, the Royal Society presented a Copley medal, one of its most prestigious honours, to DNA repair researcher Dr Tomas Lindahl, recognising his contribution to the field of life sciences.