British students disrupt Princess speech

Angry British students have disrupted a speech by the Princess Royal, Princess Anne at Edinburgh University in a protest against tripling of university tuition fees. The Princess was received by students with chants of “if you can afford a Princess, you can afford my degree” as she attempted to address staff and students at the university, The Daily Telegraph reported. The students were protesting against the university's decision to charge UK students from outside Scotland fees of £9,000 a year. The undergraduates will have to pay £36,000 for a four-year degree. The Princess, who was attempting to make her first speech as chancellor of the institution, was disrupted by students campaigning under the banner Party Against Privilege. She was elected to the role in March, succeeding the Duke of Edinburgh, who stepped down last year after holding the post since 1953, said the report. "It is a real privilege and a pleasure to address you here today as chancellor, following in my father's footsteps, although I say that advisedly as they are not easy footsteps to follow in”, said the Princess Royal during her address. "My relationship with the vet school has given me some insight into all of the marvellous work that the university undertakes", she added. Edinburgh became one of the first universities in Scotland to announce a hike in tuition fees for students starting courses in 2012. Scottish students will continue to receive a free education, but those from elsewhere in the UK will be forced to pay full fees.