THE University of Bolton has received the royal seal of approval by welcoming its new chancellor into post.

The Earl of St Andrews, George Windsor, takes over from Sir Ernest Ryder, Lord Justice of Appeal, whose term ended in December.

The Earl, the elder son of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Katharine, Duchess of Kent, will succeed current Chancellor, Lord Justice Ryder, in the university’s highest office.

Professor George Holmes, President and Vice Chancellor, said: “Bolton is a very special university, and the Earl will add a tremendous amount to our community both as a scholar himself, but moreover because of his passion for higher education.

“The Earl’s interest in cultural diversity and building bridges between civilisations mirrors the university’s commitment to the sharing of ideas across cultures.”

The Earl is the third chancellor to be appointed to the university. He was educated at Eton College and Downing College, Cambridge University.

After a period in HM Diplomatic Service during which he served in New York, at the UK Mission to the UN, and Budapest, he worked for a number of years in the antiquarian book business.

Recently, he has been chairman of an Internet-based world history project, the Golden Web.

He is patron, chairman or trustee of a number of organisations, including the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, SOS Children’s Villages UK, the Association for International Cancer Research, now Worldwide Cancer Research, the Princess Margarita of Romania Foundation, the Welsh Sinfonia, the Next Century Foundation, the Mongolia and Inner Asia Studies Unit, University of Cambridge and the Global eHealth Foundation.

Sir Ernest Ryde described the new appointment as an event of great importance in the university’s history.

The Chairman of the Board of Governors at the University of Bolton, Rt Rev Bishop Nigel McCulloch, said: “We are delighted at the Earl’s appointment.” An installation ceremony will take place towards the end of March to celebrate the historic appointment.