‘A very royal chat’
Good afternoon,
Companionship has taken many forms over the past year and more. But I witnessed one of the most striking instances on Wednesday when seven students from a range of faiths sat down in the Can-Do Marquee to have a chat about faith, University life, and the pandemic. Oh, yes, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined them.
It was heartening to see the royal visitors’ interest in faith. Indeed, the Earl of Strathearn (as he is known in Scotland) was here as the Lord High Commissioner of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, in other words, the Queen’s representative at the annual gathering of the church. He attended the opening and closing sessions in person, in Edinburgh. I heard him say on Saturday how much he was looking forward to revisiting St Andrews where he studied, and where he and Catherine met some 20 years ago. Then yesterday he said in his closing speech how much they’d enjoyed their return visit though they were struck by how young the current students are.
But it was also moving to see such a diverse group of students, from many faiths, spend so much time together (including rehearsals), getting to know each other, and learning about each other’s experience, convictions and commitments. And there was a lot of laughter as their companionship deepened.
What a lovely way to mark the end of the academic year. I cannot promise the future king and queen will visit every interfaith event from this coming September, but I’m sure the conversations will be just as exciting – though with slightly fewer photographers.
Yours,
Donald.
Revd Dr Donald MacEwan
Chaplain