'We have lost a Gordonstoun mum and a Gordonstoun grandmother' - Moray school pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her state funeral
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THE Moray school that was attended by three of Queen Elizabeth II's children has paid tribute to her on the day of her funeral.
School principal Lisa Kerr described the day as "touching" and said that the school had lost "a mother and a grandmother".
Gordonstoun pupils gathered in their boarding houses to watch the funeral at 11am, with a 6.5 kilometre walk to the Coastguard Watchtower at Covesea at back taking place at 2.30pm.
"It was a really touching time," said Mrs Kerr. "We gathered much as a family would gather round a television to watch such an important occasion.
"Every boarding house that I visited the students were incredibly respectful and you could see how much it meant to them to be together with their friends, and house staff, and share in this moment of national remembrance.
"Everyone is feeling the loss of our monarch, but we have lost a Gordonstoun mum and a Gordonstoun grandmother."
Four former Gordonstoun pupils walked behind the Queen's coffin at her funeral – King Charles, the Duke of York Prince Andrew, the Earl of Forfar Prince Edward and Peter Phillips, the son of Princess Anne.
In addition, former pupil commander Catherine Jordan was responsible for the state ceremonial team which saw 100 sailors tow Queen Elizabeth II's coffin.
"There were huge connections for Gordonstoun in so many ways today," Mrs Kerr added.
"For the students there is a real sense of pride, and it's not a boastful pride at being the school that educated the King. In a sense that's neither here nor there.
"What really matters is what they see in our new King is a man of service. A man who, like his mother, will undoubtedly continue to put others before himself.
"We see so much of what our students are doing today reflected in the King, which is extraordinary."
A memorial service is due to take place at the school tonight, where its pipe band – the last to be awarded the Braemar Gathering Piping Trophy by the Queen – will play.
