Her Majesty The Queen has confirmed Royal Title on Central, which will henceforth be officially known as The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama. Traditionally, and unofficially, Central has always been known simply as ‘Central’ – and principal Gavin Henderson is sure that this will continue. "We are nonetheless delighted that this honour should be bestowed upon us by The Queen as one of the final such gestures of her Diamond Jubilee commemorations," he told etnow editor John Offord.
Central was born of, and within, a Royal institution in 1906 – the Royal Albert Hall. For most of its existence it has enjoyed Royal patronage, currently with HRH Princess Alexandra as Patron, and HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, as Chancellor of the University of London – of which Central is a constituent college. London has had two Royal conservatoires of music for many years – the Royal Academy and the Royal College. Now it has two Royal schools of drama – RADA and Central.