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Through more than 600 patronages, Queen Elizabeth II supported and encouraged organizations carrying out vital work to improve the human condition, including organizations and professional institutions advancing science and technology. It is no wonder that on two occasions, her path crossed that of fusion science¡ªa nascent field of research in which UK researchers were playing an important part. 

She was only 31 when she was introduced for the first time to fusion research during a visit to the Harwell Atomic Energy Research Establishment in 1957. The Zeta project¡ªa ''circular pinch'' fusion machine that operated at Harwell between 1957 and 1968¡ªwas at the time of its construction by far the largest and most powerful fusion device in the world.

In April 1984, Her Majesty officially inaugurated the Joint European Torus (JET) at Culham, pronouncing the following statement to an audience that included French President Francois Mitterand and numerous other dignitaries. "In an energy-hungry world, the JET may be a step along the road towards a virtually unlimited source of electric power. I am delighted to be able to applaud this magnificent technical achievement, the full potential of which is still to be fully revealed."

Videos exist of both events. For the 1957 visit to Harwell and Zeta, click . For the 1984 opening of JET at Culham, click .