Princess Anne on South Bank for graduation ceremony

On Thursday the Princess presented batchelor of osteopathy degree certificates from the BSO and the University of Bedfordshire to 91 students. A further 17 students were awarded masters degrees (MSc) in Paediatric Osteopathy from the BSO and the Foundation of Paediatric Osteopathy.

The graduands were watched by family, friends, BSO staff and special guests including the Mayors of Southwark and Lambeth, Cllr Eliza Mann and Cllr Angie Meader. A number of the BSO's vice patrons were also in attendance including Earl Ferrers and Dame Beryl Grey DBE.

Other qualifications officially conferred on the day included postgraduate diplomas in osteopathy in the cranial field, and awards for individual achievement. Members of the BSO's teaching staff were also honoured on the day, receiving postgraduate certificates in academic practice with the University of Bedfordshire.

In his speech BSO principal Charles Hunt looked back over the past year which has seen the BSO open a state-of-the-art new clinical centre in Southwark Bridge Road – visited by the Princess in May – and introduce a new undergraduate integrated masters (M.Ost) degree programme.

The BSO has also increased its provision of osteopathy to groups in the community who would not normally be able to access it – including a growth of 49 per cent in the number of free treatments offered – and has won a Southwark Civic Award in recognition of this work.

Batchelor of osteopathy graduand Lizzie Lomax thanked HRH The Princess Royal on behalf of her fellow students.