His Majesty the King is the Royal Patron of the College, which this year was awarded the hosting of Aortic Dissection Awareness Day UK by the national patient charity, in recognition of its excellent work educating Aortic surgeons around the world.

The letter continued "His Majesty was heartened to learn that over 200 patients, relatives and international clinical experts will come together to support this vital cause. The King sends his warmest good wishes to all those who will be present for a most successful event".

Delegates, many of whom have survived a life-threatening Aortic Dissection, applauded the King's greeting. The 9th annual Aortic Dissection Awareness Day UK was officially opened by the Depute Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Councillor Leslie Marion Cameron, one of the King's personal representatives in the city. She reminded the audience that the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh is the oldest surgical college in the world; and that the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, represented on the day by Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon Mr. Renzo Pessotto and Consultant Vascular Surgeon Mr. Orwa Falah, is Scotland's leading specialist Aortic centre.

Many of the patients present at the event owed their lives to the skill of surgeons and to the specialised Aortic grafts they use, which are made in Scotland by global healthcare technology company Terumo Aortic, who sponsor Aortic Dissection Awareness Day UK. The company brought some of its products to the event, so that patients could see and handle the devices used to repair their Aortas.

Mr. Owens expressed the gratitude and appreciation of the national patient charity to HM the King, the Depute Lord Provost, the City of Edinburgh, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and Terumo Aortic for making it possible to hold such a high-profile event dedicated to Aortic Dissection in the city.