05
Jun
Harrogate school receives historic visit from the king
Pupils at Harrogate Ladies' College were treated to an unforgettable surprise last week, when the king visited their school.
As previously reported, King Charles was on a private visit to Yorkshire, and toured Knaresborough Castle in the afternoon in his capacity as the Duke of Lancaster and owner of the ruined fortress.
But in the morning he headed for the Duchy area of Harrogate – so called because the land is held by the Duchy of Lancaster – and met staff and pupils at the independent girls' school.
Arriving to a reception from governors and senior staff, the king was given a tour of the school, guided by three prefects who gave him an insight into school life. In the library, they discussed balancing the demands of A levels alongside leadership responsibilities and music commitments.
School prefects Tilly, Tabby and Jemima met the King in person.
The king remarked upon the beauty of the school’s setting, admitting he had not quite realised its remarkable location within the Duchy area of Harrogate.
It was the king's first visit to Harrogate Ladies’ College and the first time the school has welcomed a reigning monarch.
The College Chapel Choir performed With A Voice of Singing and the Sevenfold Amen, and year 6 pupils from Highfield Prep School delivered a performance from their recent production. Speaking afterwards, the king asked how long they had rehearsed, praising their confidence and composure.
Members of Highfield Prep School's class 6 met the King.
Among those performing was head of chapel choir, Tilly Reid, who described the experience as "unforgettable". She said:
It was very special to meet and perform for the king today.
He was very interested in our school and said it was ‘an absolute delight’ to hear us sing.
It was a moment I will never forget.
The King said it was "an absolute delight" to hear the choir sing.
The king was particularly interested to hear about the forthcoming changed to the school this autumn. Harrogate Ladies' College is to become co-educational in September, and will be renamed Duchy College.
For principal, Joanna Fox, the significance of the visit extended far beyond ceremony. She said:
It was an absolute honour to welcome the King.
His visit comes at a hugely important time in the school’s history, making the occasion especially meaningful for everyone in our community.
The staff and pupils present today will remember this day for the rest of their lives and feel immensely proud to have been part of such a memorable event.
Before departing, the king presented the school with a native British oak tree, one of 80 being gifted ahead of his 80th birthday in 2028.
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