By Graham Huband and Maura Bowman

A CROWD OF wellwishers braved the rain for the arrival of the Queen on her first engagement in Dundee yesterday.

Wearing a deep pink coat and matching hat, the royal visitor arrived in her maroon Bentley limousine to open Dundee University’s new £15million teaching and education block.

She delighted the crowds by waving briefly to around 50 people of all nationalities who had gathered on campus.

The Queen was greeted at the entrance to the building by university principal Sir Alan Langlands and chancellor Lord Naren Patel and was conducted to one of the state-of-the-art lecture theatres.

Sir Alan formally welcomed the royal visitor before handing over to Professor Christopher Whatley, head of the university’s College of Arts and Social Sciences.

Professor Whatley reminded the invited audience Dundee University produces more graduates for the professions than any other.

The new facility will be where those who aspire to be leaders in their professions will be trained in the future, he went on.

Pointing out that graduates in those disciplines can make a positive difference to lives in the communities they serve, he said the focus is on improving the quality of life for more vulnerable members of our society, such as those who suffer from chronic illnesses and children.

Dundee University’s expertise in disability matters and child protection is already widely recognised, he continued.

Professor Whatley then introduced a group representing all the disciplines that will use the building to demonstrate a teaching technique.

Known as “sculpting”, the technique uses the body to convey emotions and narrative.

The star of “Anne’s Story” was 13-year-old Rachael McArthur, a pupil at Monifieth High School.

Her aunt Elinor Vettraino, head of teaching and learning for the school of social work, education, and community education, wrote the script for the drama, as well as taking on a role in the play.

The drama outlined the experiences of a 12-year-old Dundee girl whose father is suffering from terminal cancer and the support and help she receives from a nurse, a teacher, a social worker, and a community education arts project.

Other parts were played by community education lecturer Dr Terry Barber, social work lecturer Brian Leslie and Dr Mary Wells, lecturer and clinical research fellow from the school of nursing and midwifery.

Though Rachael has helped her aunt with presentations to teaching students in the past and is a keen actress in her spare time, she confessed to feeling “nervous” at the prospect of performing in front of the Queen.

However, despite having time for only a couple of weeks’ rehearsal, she pulled off the performance with aplomb and was rewarded with a smile from the royal visitor.

The Queen unveiled a stone commemorating the opening of the new building before moving on to the Chaplaincy, where the Rev. Fiona Douglas, university chaplain, conducted a service of celebration and thanksgiving to mark the 40th anniversary of Dundee University receiving its “royal charter”.

Sir Alan Langlands used his address at the service to remind congregants of the long and proud history between the university and the House of Windsor.

He said, “In 1967 under the terms of its Royal Charter, the University of Dundee took its place as a fully independent institution, inspired and self confident under the watchful eye of our first Chancellor, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

“Today, the university stands tall with a fine record of achievement in learning and teaching and research, and is an institution which contributes enormously to the economic, social and cultural fabric of the city and the country as a whole.”

Among the crowds who had gathered outside the university for a glimpse of the Queen were sisters Mary Devlin and Marion Flynn of the West End of the city.

The arch royalists were delighted to see the Queen and were keen to join her at her other engagements in the city later in the day.

Marion said, “We have always loved the Queen and always come to see her when she is here in Dundee and when other members of the Royal Family are here also.”

Sharyl Beaton a classroom assistant from Ancrum Road Primary who has lived in Dundee for the past eight years, was also excited to see the Queen.

She said, “I was here five years ago in the City Square and she looked really lovely that day in a peach coloured outfit.

“She looked great today in her pink matching hat and coat.

“I think she’s an amazing woman for her age and has done so much for the country.

The Mitchell family of Carnoustie also attended.

Mum Lyne brought daughters Kerry (12) and Teagan (6) along to see the monarch for the first time.

Lyne said, “Their dad works at the university so we knew about the visit and the girls have never seen the Queen before so we thought we would come along.

“She just turned round long enough to wave and Teagan was happy because she had her camera and was able to take some photographs.”

Student Rachel Duddin, who graduated last week, and her Polish friend Karol Jarnuczuk were excited to see the royal.

Rachel said, “It’s the first time I’ve seen the Queen. I think she is great as she’s done a lot for the country and brings a lot of business to the country through tourism and other services, especially through occasions like this.”

Karol added, “She is very famous in Poland and am glad that I’ve been able to see her.”

Pensioner Ann Cowe travelled in from Coupar Angus.

“I am a great fan of royalty and I like to see them whenever I get the chance,” he said.

“I’ve seen the Queen in Dundee and Perth and I went to St Andrews for William’s graduation. It was a lovely summer’s day and a beautiful occasion.

“We used to stay up in Royal Deeside and always went to the Braemar Gathering to see her and also to Crathie Church.”

Before leaving the education and social work building, the Queen thanked the performing group.