Every聽so often, a school day becomes something聽rather more聽memorable and last Friday was one of those days at 西施直播鈥�.聽We聽were honoured to welcome His Majesty King Charles III to the School for what was, quite literally, a flying visit, using our grounds as a departure point for his helicopter following his official visit to Northwood Headquarters.
As聽King Charles聽arrived by motorcade, there was a real buzz around School. While many of our boys were in lessons as normal, those who were able were thrilled to catch a glimpse of the King up close. Our聽Pre-Prep children lined the long drive outside the Manor, proudly waving flags as he arrived.
The King was passing through following a visit to Northwood Headquarters, but the gathered pupils and staff were delighted when聽King Charles聽stepped out of the vehicle and began an impromptu walk along the assembled line of Taylors鈥櫬爌upils聽and聽staff. Taking time to speak with people and showing genuine interest in what they had to say was a wonderful聽sight聽and left聽a lasting impression聽on many. During the visit, His Majesty also met聽Head Master聽Simon Everson and our Head Monitor, Jai聽E.
His Majesty Being Greeted by Mr Hughes
I welcomed the King to 西施直播鈥�, who then thanked us for having him. He asked about teaching at the School, and I told him how wonderful the boys at Taylors鈥� are. The experience was surreal - it made me feel incredibly proud to be part of such an incredible School.
Among the boys gathered was Eliyaan J. (Divs), who spoke with His Majesty as he made his way along the line:
When the King approached, I was starstruck. We spoke briefly about extracurriculars, and he carried himself in a humble, down-to-earth way. It鈥檚 a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Nearby was Pharon J. (5ths), who聽was on crutches.聽As the King made his way along the line, he聽appeared to make聽a point of stopping to greet Pharon, which delighted those watching nearby.聽The King聽asked聽him聽about sport at the聽School, before continuing along the line. Pharon聽described it as 鈥渁 once-in-a-lifetime experience鈥� and said he felt lucky to have been 鈥渋n the right place at the right time鈥�.
His Majesty Talking to Eliyaan
Further along the line Dina Kotecha, Executive Functions Specialist, witnessed many of the encounters as His Majesty gradually approached. Dina said:
鈥淲atching King Charles step out to greet our school community was a聽truly special moment. When he approached me, he offered a warm handshake and asked about my work with real interest. Though brief, it was deeply humbling聽–聽an experience that filled our school with聽great聽excitement and pride.鈥�
The King then made his way back up the path towards the vehicles, where the聽Head Master聽and Jai E. (U6th) were waiting to offer an official welcome. After a brief conversation with the聽Head Master, Jai spoke with His Majesty at greater length. Jai said:
It was a real honour to meet His Majesty and shake his hand. We spoke about my plans to study medicine and the possibility of becoming a medical officer in the British Army. I鈥檓 incredibly grateful for the opportunity - it was a very special moment and one I will cherish for a long time to come.
His Majesty Talking to Jai E. (U6th) and Head Master Simon Everson
While this was our first Royal visit in recent memory, the聽School鈥檚聽links with the Royal Family stretch back much further. In July 1926, Edward VIII聽–聽then Prince of Wales聽–聽laid the foundation stone of the new Science Building at our former Charterhouse Square site, later brought to Northwood for its historical significance. Our archives also record the Duke of York (later George VI) laying the foundation stone at Sandy Lodge in June 1931; Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother鈥檚 visit in 1962, when she toured the School and spoke of success built on faith, tolerance and love of justice; and her return in 1975 to open the new Music Department, reflecting on the balance between technology and the arts聽–聽and famously prompting a day鈥檚 holiday to mark the occasion.
As the excitement of the day settles, we look back on a brief but memorable visit with great pride. It was a special moment for 西施直播鈥�, and one that will stay with all who witnessed it for a long time to come.
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