'Emotional' Gordonstoun pupils watch Queen Elizabeth II's funeral from King Charles' old dormitory
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THE funeral of Queen Elizabeth II was no doubt moving for many across the United Kingdom, but few would have felt the emotion of the day as much as one particular group of pupils at Gordonstoun School.
A small group of girls at the boarding school experienced a "pinch yourself moment" as they gathered at the dormitory where King Charles resided in the 1960s to watch funeral proceedings.
The King's former room, which is always home to house captain, is currently occupied by Amelia Rose-Bristow – whose laptop, used to stream the funeral, sat upon a desk which King Charles himself would have used.
"It's been an emotional day for me personally, for the school and for everyone over the country having to witness the Queen's funeral," said Amelia, who is in her fifth and final year at Gordonstoun.
"Watching it from King Charles' room was quite surreal. It's quite unbelievable to think that he lived here and weird to think this was his actual room.
"The desk (that the laptop was sat upon) has been part of the furniture for years, so that history has been kept.
"It was a bit of a pinch yourself moment. King Charles is now going to be our monarch, which is quite exciting, and I'll never forget this day."
Amelia only moved into the room – located within Windmill Lodge – four weeks ago, having become house captain, a role that King Charles held during his five-year stint at Gordonstoun.
Although the desk provides a reminder of days gone by, much has changed since the 1960s.
Then, Gordonstoun was an all boys school and now the King's former lodge is a female boarding house.
Amelia believes that King Charles can be somebody for current students at the school to look up to.
She added: "People are inspired by him having been here, knowing his values are set by Gordonstoun.
"He was shaped into who he is today based on how he was brought up. It's a great inspiration for all of us to look up to."
