His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge visited the Weston Library yesterday to formally open the building following an extraordinary three-year transformation.
More than 250 guests, including many of the donors who supported the project, gathered in the library's new Blackwell Hall to watch as Prince William unveiled a plaque marking the major redevelopment.
Designed by London-based Wilkinson Eyre Architects, the Weston Library underwent an £80million renovation before reopening to the public in 2015. It is now equipped with state-of-the-art research and conservation facilities, and is a model for research libraries worldwide.
During his visit, the Duke was escorted on a behind-the-scenes tour of the conservation studio, floating stack, and Rare Books and Manuscripts Reading Room. As well as meeting with Bodleian staff, he also was shown a number of historic objects, including a rare 13th century 'Glossed Bible', and the key used by his great grandfather, King George VI, to officially open what was then called the New Bodleian Library in 1946.
Following the tour, Prince William was introduced to some of the project's major benefactors, including Guy Weston, Chairman of the Garfield Weston Foundation, who donated £25million towards the refurbishment. It was in recognition of this gift that the library was renamed.
The Duke also met with Julian Blackwell, President of Blackwell's, and Mr SH (Sangho) Jo, President & CEO of Samsung Electronics UK and Ireland, which provided technology to help bring the Bodleian's historic collections to life.
Whilst in Oxford, Prince William also formally opened the University's new Blavatnik School of Government, and Magdalen College's new Longwall Library.