Newcastle University apologises to Princess Eugenie after professor claimed she only got in because of her royal status
The uni said suggestions she didn't meet its high standards were 'simply not true'
NEWCASTLE University has apologised to Princess Eugenie after one of its professors claimed she was only given a place there because of her royal status.
An anti-monarchist senior history lecturer reportedly claimed the young princess was initially turned down, but later offered a place after it was flagged she "had more significance" than other applicants.
But after initially declining to comment on an individual student's position, the university issued a statement "apologising unreservedly for the distress caused" to the Queen's granddaughter.
Earlier this week reports emerged saying lecturer Dr Martin Farr told a crowd of anti-monarchists: "A friend of mine who is Italian was the admissions officer for BA English literature and received one application for the undergraduate degree that was not good enough and so discarded it.
"Apparently the university was horrified that [Princess Eugenie] had been rejected before she was offered a place with us for another degree."
He further alleged the princess was "used by the university for publicity".
But today, vice-chancellor and president Chris Day told Sun Online: "We are entirely satisfied that Princess Eugenie met the high academic standards required for admission to Newcastle University and to suggest this was not the case is simply not true.
"The application was handled appropriately via UCAS as is the case with all our students.
"Every student, irrespective of his or her background, has a right to privacy.
"Dr Martin Farr and the University apologise unreservedly for the distress caused to HRH."
Princess Eugenie studied a combined BA honours degree in English literature, graduating from the course in 2012.
The entry requirements for next year’s intake studying English literature are likely to be AAA-AAB for next year's intake, and for those doing a combined honours course of the type Eugenie studied they are listed as AAB.
Earlier this week, a university spokeswoman said: "The university will not comment on an individual student's position as this information is confidential.
"In general, however, if an applicant does not have the actual or predicted grades to meet the requirements for a particular programme, it is possible for them to be considered for alternative options."
A spokesman for Princess Eugenie refused to comment.
After graduating, the now 27-year-old went on to work in New York, working with online auction house Paddle8.
She then returned to the UK, working at a contemporary art gallery.
The claims come after the princess was forced to deny she was lazy after claims she took 25 days off during her first 10 weeks in a new job.
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