W&M is famous for its firsts: the first U.S. institution with a Royal Charter, the first Greek-letter society (Phi Beta Kappa, founded in 1776), the first student honor code, the first college to ...

William & Mary has retained ties to its royal heritage since namesakes King William III and Queen Mary II granted the royal charter establishing the university on Feb. 8, 1693. In the intervening 322 ...

William & Mary was only the ninth university established within the crown’s dominions. No more would be established until the 19th century. William & Mary is rightfully proud of its royal charter.