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Earl and Countess of Wessex and Forfar pay visit to Gordonstoun


By Ewan Malcolm

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THE Earl and Countess of Wessex and Forfar paid a visit to Gordonstoun yesterday to present awards to Moray pupils and deserving volunteers.

The Royal pair presented 125 schoolchildren with commemorative Moray Badges ranging from Brass, Copper and Platinum.

The award was established to mark The Queen's Platinum Jubilee and to encourage young people to get active, enjoy nature and be creative after lockdown.

Prince Edward, addressing the children and volunteers after presenting the awards, congratulated all involved with the scheme and said everyone should "wear their badges with pride".

His Royal Highness added: "I'm impressed by the sheer number of schools and young people involved. It is a great way to celebrate Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee.

"I hope that it encourages you all to go on and do other exciting things and to use these experiences to make the most of the opportunities that are out there."

The pair then greeted staff and students of Gordonstoun as they made their way to the school's gardens.

Bella Likes, a Year 12 student at Gordonstoun, chatted briefly with Prince Edward.

She said: "It's really nice to have Royals back at Gordonstoun. I was here eight years ago when Prince Philip visited but I've never met Prince Edward and Sophie before.

"They seem like a really lovely couple and they knew how to put us all at ease because a lot of us were quite nervous to meet them.

"Plus, he went to school here as well so he's a bit of an OG."

Staff were also glad to see Prince Edward and Sophie return to the school after a difficult two years.

Dan McLean, a teacher at Gordonstoun, also chatted with Prince Edward.

He said: "He asked us what we had all escaped from to come out and see them which was quite funny.

"They're a big part of the country and although they're not part of the day to day life here at the school it's great to see that ongoing relationship with the family."

The Royal couple then presented The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the equivalent of an MBE – to members of Gordonstoun's Fire Service.

Fadheela Redpath, Gordonstoun student and Captain of Fire, accepted the anniversary trophy from Sophie Wessex to mark the 80th year of the service.

She said: "They were both really interested and engaged in what we do and it was a real honour to accept the trophy on behalf of the service.

"It was a wonderful experience and they treated everyone with kindness and warmth.

"His Royal Highness told me about fellow students in his house who were in the fire service at school and he was keen to hear about our latest call-outs.

"I said we'd been on four or five call outs already this term and they'd been very exciting. I explained how much I have gained personally from being part of this service to the local community.

"It was just a wonderful experience."

The Earl and Countess capped their visit with a viewing of archive material relating to Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away in 2021.


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