The club has made no secret that is all male

Henry Mayo, Club President

A university spokeswoman said Dr Lang would not take part after a recommendation by an equal opportunities group.

"On the recommendation of the equal opportunities committee and a substantial cohort of the university, the university will not be represented at this year's Kate Kennedy procession," she said.

"We would stress that this is an interim measure and the university reserves judgement on any long-term relationship with the club or any other student organisation pending the advice of the working party."

The club has a maximum of 60 members and prospective candidates are vetted beforehand.

Prince William: Studying art at St Andrews

Some women have been made honorary committee.

Club president Henry Mayo said: "The club has made no secret that is all male, and the principal made a decision not to take part this year.

"I think there is a certain amount of contradiction in that the principal is a member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club which is male-only.

"The procession goes back at least 150 years and is an amalgamation of previous sporting festivals with a celebration of Kate Kennedy, who was a benefactress of the university."

Too attractive

Founded in 1926, the club describes its three aims as maintaining the university's traditions, good town relations and raising money for local charities.

The name of the club derives from Lady Katharine Kennedy, who was niece of Bishop Kennedy, the founder of the university's St Salvators College in the 15th century.

Applications to the university have increased by 44% since it emerged the prince would be studying in Fife and even the traditionally difficult to fill courses are over-subscribed.

The 19-year-old prince is studying History of Art.

The university was fined last month because it has attracted too many students.

The funding rules penalise higher education institutions which exceed their recruitment targets - and St Andrews has had to pay back �175,000.