New Fellows' Ceremony and Dinner
All the information you need to attend
We are delighted to invite you to attend the New Fellows’ Admission Ceremony and Dinner at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
We look forward to meeting you in person and welcoming you, your family and guests to your College for the Admission Ceremony which gives you the opportunity to add your name to the Fellow’s Roll and meet the President and Council and other Fellows.
This is followed by a formal New Fellows’ Dinner in the evening held in the splendour of the Great Hall which provides a fitting end to your special day of celebrations.
Download a copy of the invitation
New Fellows’ Admission Ceremony dates
Friday 20th June 2025
Click here to complete the online acceptance form by Wednesday 14th May 2025
If you have any queries, please contact Avril Harries:
+44 (0) 131 247 3650 or a.harries@rcpe.ac.uk.
Programme of the day
New Fellows' Ceremony
12.00pm |
Welcome and registration |
12.30pm - 2.00pm |
Buffet Lunch and time for New Fellows and their guests to explore the historic rooms in the College |
2.15pm |
Guests to take seats in the Lecture TheatreNew Fellows assemble in the top foyer for a briefing from the Secretary |
2.30pm |
Admission Ceremony for New FellowsAn official photograph of you receiving your Fellowship diploma from the President will be taken |
4.00pm – 5.00pm |
Afternoon Tea |
New Fellows' Dinner
7:00 |
Welcome Drinks Reception |
7:30 |
Dinner in the Great Hall |
New Fellows' Day FAQ
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Ceremonies are held in the College at 11 Queen Street, Edinburgh. Guided tours of our historic building will be available before the Ceremony.
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Please complete this online acceptance form as soon as possible, and by Wednesday 14th May 2025 at the latest. Please note that space is limited and places will therefore be allocated to New Fellows on a first come, first served basis. We recommend not to book accommodation or travel until you have received confirmation that your application has been accepted.
If you have not received an email of your completed form within 7 days, please telephone Avril Harries (+44 (0) 131 247 3650).
Whilst we would be delighted if you are able to accept our invitation to attend the New Fellows’ Admission Ceremony, it is not essential for Fellows to attend and it does not affect the status of your Fellowship.
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We know how important it is to celebrate these moments with your family, so we make the events during the day as child-friendly as possible. New Fellows are welcome to bring a maximum of three guests to the buffet lunch and New Fellows’ Ceremony, but we will also try to accommodate requests to bring additional guests to the daytime events (please indicate the number on the form).
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Children are very welcome to attend the lunch and the Admission Ceremony, although crèche facilities are not available. Children will need to be supervised by an adult at all times. As the Dinner is a formal occasion, it is not suitable for children under the age of 16.
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During the day:
Dress for New Fellows and their guests for the Ceremony and events during the day will be lounge suit/smart day wear.
New Fellows’ Dinner:
Formal evening dress/traditional dress is required for the Dinner. For example, dark dinner jacket and bow tie, short or long evening dress, or traditional national attire such as a kilt. Please note that trainers, jeans and similar attire is not appropriate on this occasion. Please ensure you share this information with any guests who will be accompanying you.
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Each New Fellow attending the evening Dinner may bring one accompanying guest, who must be 16 years old or over.
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The Dinner commences with a drinks reception at 7pm, and finishes at approximately 10.30pm. It is a formal dinner held in the Great Hall. If possible, please provide at least 72 hours’ notice if you need to cancel your attendance.
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We will have an official photographer at the Ceremony. A photograph showing each new Fellow together with the President during the Ceremony will be provided free of charge. Photographs will be emailed by the photographer directly to each New Fellow following the event. Guests are welcome to take their own photographs during the Ceremony.
The photographer will also be available for private photographs from 12.00pm - 2.00pm and again at approx. 4.00pm - 5.00pm to take individual and family photographs on request at a cost of £30 and payment should be made directly to the photographer. Photographs will be emailed directly to New Fellows by the photographer following the event.
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A room will be reserved for New Fellows and guests to use as a prayer room.
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We are a fully accessible venue and disabled facilities are available. If wheelchair access to the building is required, please indicate this on the form and we will contact you directly to discuss your requirements.
Making the most of your trip
Extend your stay for a few days to allow you to explore Edinburgh and it's historic sights. The tourism site Visit Scotland has all the information you need to make the most your stay.
We have negotiated special rates for delegates and guests attending events at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh on Queen Street, focusing on accommodation that is within an easy walk of the College. To ensure you get the appropriate pricing please mention the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh when you are booking (please note that these special rates may depend on availability at the hotels).
Enquiries and Cancellations
If you have any enquiries relating to the New Fellows’ Admission Ceremony, please contact Avril Harries: +44 (0) 131 247 3650 or a.harries@rcpe.ac.uk.
Enquiries about the New Fellows’ Dinner should be directed to the Venue team: +44 (0) 131 247 3632 or venue@rcpe.ac.uk
If you find it is necessary to cancel your attendance at the Ceremony and/or the Dinner at short notice, please telephone the appropriate number above as soon as possible. It would be extremely helpful if the College is informed even if it is a last minute cancellation.
Calls on the evening of the Dinner should be made to: +44 (0) 131 247 3632, and leave a message.