The Inner Temple Yearbook 2021–2022
Royal Bencher and The Duke of Edinburgh Scholarships
ROYAL BENCHER AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH SCHOLARSHIPS His Royal Highness became a Royal Bencher of the Inn in 1954, and Royal Treasurer in 1961. He visited the Inn on numerous occasions, including for the Rededication of the Round in Temple Church in 1958, the 400th Anniversary of the Letters Patent granted to the Inns by James I in 2008 and more recently in 2013 for a special service following restoration of the Temple Church Harrison & Harrison organ. TIMELINE
16 November 1954 His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh elected to the Bench
9 November 1955 Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh visit The Inner Temple Hall for a Grand Day dinner
C December 1966 Amity Dinner attended by Her Majesty the Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh who also attended a service of thanksgiving in the church
1958
1984
Rededication of the Church Round attended by the Her Majesty the Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HM The Queen Mother
Scholarship Appeal Party in the garden attended by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
1961
19 April 1961
Elected Royal Treasurer with The Right Honourable The Viscount Monckton of Brenchley as Deputy Treasurer
Grand Day
The Duke of Edinburgh Scholars During his tenure as Royal Treasurer, The Duke of Edinburgh Entrance Scholarships were founded to assist ten students with free entrance scholarships. The Deputy Treasurer Walter Monckton, Viscount Monckton of Brenchley 1961 commented that “it is hoped that a number of young men who might otherwise be lost to the profession will be attracted by these scholarships.”
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The scholarships were intended to cover the cost of admission and Call and to attract students who might otherwise choose careers that did not impose fees. In 1971, the rules for the scholarship were amended to exclude from the terms the payment of education and lecture fees and that the number of scholarships be increased to 25.
On 6 March 1972, the scholarships were further increased from 25 to 40 per year and, in 1985, this number was further increased to 50. The scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit and need.
The first Duke of Edinburgh Scholars, 1962 D R G Hands, C B Hertzog, C L Kelly, J A Swift, G L Tunnell, D A G Vaughan, H P D Bennett, M A Blythe, R A Henderson, A Irvine