The Master hosted Dr Angela Merkel, former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany on the eve and morning of this year’s honorary degree ceremony.

Dr Merkel stayed in St Edmund’s overnight and was very appreciative of the College’s warm hospitality.

On Tuesday 23 June, a private dinner in her honour was attended by distinguished guests from across the University and beyond. We were delighted that the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deborah Prentice, and former Vice-Chancellor and Honorary Fellow of St Edmund’s, Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, were able to join us. Guests from Germany included the German Ambassador, Susanne Baumann, and Professor Helmut Schwarz, former President of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the 2025 Winner of the Wolf Prize in Chemistry. On the morning of Wednesday 24 June, before heading to the degree ceremony, Dr Merkel met with students from various student societies for a discussion over breakfast.

Professor Young commented:

Hosting one of the leading politicians of the 21st century is one thing. Witnessing such a world leader give her time and wisdom with such generosity is another. Dr Merkel’s conversation with Cambridge students, ranging over a multitude of issues, will live very long in the memory. The whole Cambridge community was in awe of her presence.

About the College, he added:

When I started learning German at school in Belfast in the 1980s, it would have been unthinkable that I would one day host someone of the stature of Angela Merkel. My profound personal and professional satisfaction at her visit to Cambridge this week is eclipsed only by my pride in the College. What a marvellous job the whole St Edmund’s community did before and during her visit. This was a huge team effort and each and every person played their part superbly.