On June 11, 2026, HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne hosted a landmark gala reception at St James’s Palace in London to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) and honor the lasting legacy of its founding Senior Fellow, the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
The Duke of Edinburgh played a key role in the Academy’s creation, hosting its first meeting at Buckingham Palace with 130 engineers and helping to champion the profession at the highest level.
As a recipient of the 2022 RAEng Prince Philip Medal, the academy’s highest and most prestigious individual honor, Professor Madni, and his wife Taj were invited personally by the Princess as distinguished guests. The event brought together over 100 distinguished Academy Fellows, including past Presidents and leading engineers and scientists from the UK.
In a heartfelt anniversary message, the Princess honored her father’s legacy by recalling his belief that engineering affects “every individual’s life from the cradle to the grave.”
Looking ahead, the Princess challenged engineers to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues, from health inequalities to national security and emerging technological challenges.
“As a profession, you have an obligation to build on these achievements, and turn your collective creativity, expertise, and ambition into a future that works for everyone,” she said.
“No profession is better placed to shape the world of tomorrow.”
The event also featured a display of newly commissioned photographs showcasing 50 pioneering Fellows from various engineering fields.
