Join KCLA for this year’s Annual Dinner and Duel Day Celebration on Friday 22 March at Vintners' Hall, with King’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shitij Kapur and guest speaker, Rear Admiral James Parkin CBE.

James joined the Royal Navy after university and graduated from BRNC Dartmouth in 1999. In almost 25 years of service, he has served on operations at sea and ashore across the globe, including an operational tour in Baghdad, and spent time afloat in every ocean on the planet. He is a graduate of both the Advanced Command and Staff Course and the Higher Command and Staff Course at the Defence Academy of the UK. He read Natural Sciences (Geology) at St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford and holds a Master of Arts degree from King's. James was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

This is the third year KCLA have held their Annual Dinner at Vintners' Hall, which has an amazing history and houses some beautiful historical artefacts, including carvings in the hall and Court Room, as well as a fine staircase. The original hall burnt down in the Great Fire of London, but was rebuilt and in use by 1671.

A pre-dinner tour is available for a limited number of people. The Vintners' Company, with its first Charter in 1363, is one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London. The history of the Vintners' Company is a fascinating story of trade, charity, politics, and companionship. The tour will be given by Guy Fairbanks, a distinguished Blue Badge Guide at 6pm prior to the reception. Tour tickets can be booked on the dinner booking form.

The duel fought on 21 March 1829 on Battersea Fields between the Duke of Wellington and the Earl of Winchelsea, which secured the right of King’s to offer education to all, will be reenacted as it is internationally when alumni meet to celebrate King’s foundation.