Triplets who “fell in love with Cardiff” honour late grandfather in emotional graduation celebrations
30 July 2025
Triplets Rose, Maudie and Grace Orgill have graduated together as part of Cardiff University’s Class of 2025.
Rose earned a BSc in Chemistry, Maudie a BA in History and Grace a BSc in Biomedical Sciences, meaning they each receive honours from one of the University’s three colleges.
But going to university together wasn’t always the plan for the sisters, 21, from Gloucestershire.
“It happened by chance,” explains eldest Rose.
Ideally, we wanted to split up, but we all fell in love with Cardiff on the offer holder day when the sun was out – something we later realised is pretty rare.
“We agreed Cardiff was big and, because we were all studying different subjects, we were sure we wouldn’t bump into each other all of the time.”
Things didn’t quite work out that way when the sisters were assigned the same six-person flat in University residences at Talybont North.
“It was like moving home from home with them to be honest,” Grace says. “Our rooms are actually closer at uni than at home.
“But it’s allowed us to make triple the friends, which is never a bad thing. Thank you, Hugo, Urvi and Phillip, for putting up with us in that first year!”
Doing things together has since become a bit of a trademark for the Orgills.
They continued to live together throughout their studies, and all represented the Cardiff University Netball Club, a shared experience that’s had a big impact on the sisters.
Goal Shooter Rose competed for the first team in Varsity.
“The atmosphere was something I’d never experienced before,” she remembers.
“We won in my first year and having my sisters and best friends run on court to celebrate with me is something I’ll never forget.”
For youngest Maudie, netball also offered a confidence boost.
Captaining my netball team in my final year was a pinch me moment. It’s something I never thought I’d be chosen for, and an experience I’ll always be proud of.
Despite excelling in sport, the Orgills say they aren’t competitive with one another.
“We’re often relatively the same level at everything we do,” explains Grace.
We’re very similar when you first meet us, which is handy if we do anything embarrassing because we can just say ‘it wasn’t me’. But it works both ways, and we often go down for the others’ actions too.
The walk across the stage at the Utilita Arena to celebrate their successes, was an emotional one for the sisters.
With them, they carried a tribute to their late grandfather.
“Unfortunately, their grandfather passed away suddenly on the day of Rose’s final chemistry exam,” said mum Clare.
“So, the girls each wore a ribbon and forget-me-not flower on their gowns in memory of him – a beautiful reminder that he’s still with them, cheering them on. Just like us, he was so incredibly proud of our girls.”
The sisters plan to travel over the coming months, starting their trip in Southeast Asia before deciding what to do next.
“I would love to join the RAF or something similar,” Grace says.
“After our trip, I’d like to move abroad to work for a bit,” adds Rose.
For Maudie, a return to Cardiff may be on the cards.
“I’m hoping to go into law and potentially do a conversion course at Cardiff,” she said.
Dad Phil added: “We’re excited to see what the future has in store for them and if they’ll all end up working in the same city too.”
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