HRH The Duke of York, KG, was the Guest of Honour at the Royal Hospital School Tercentenary Speech Day and Divisions on Saturday 29 June and was welcomed by more than 2,000 pupils, parents and guests.
The achievements of the pupils were recognised by the Duke during the prize-giving ceremony and a report of the year was delivered by the Headmaster, James Lockwood. The Duke spoke warmly to the pupils giving advice on life beyond school; encouraging them to challenge themselves and telling them to seize every opportunity.
Speeches were also heard by the Chairman of the Board of Governors and Deputy Lieutenant of Suffolk, Henry Strutt, and the Heads of School, Oliver Gerard-Pearse and Claire Lambert.During his visit, HRH The Duke of York also opened the School’s new Heritage Centre which houses a wealth of historic artefacts including the Lord Nelson relics that appeared on the BBC Antiques Roadshow.
The Centre also provides excellent archive resources and touch-screen technology to aid teaching and learning. The facility will be open each Wednesday during the term time and available to the wider community on request.
The grand finale of the Duke’s visit was Divisions. After an exciting fly past by a Hawker Sea Fury, the British fighter aircraft developed for the Royal Navy during the Second World War, the whole School paraded to the sound of the band playing Life on the Open Wave, Heart of Oak, Rule Britannia, Land of Hope and Glory and, of course, the National Anthem.
The pupils looked impressive in their naval uniforms led by the ‘Chiefs’, the Guard gave an outstanding demonstration of weapon handling during the Sunset Ceremony and, as is the tradition, the Year 13 leavers slow marched off as the School gave three cheers for HRH The Duke of York. Later guests were treated to another fly past by a Spitfire while they enjoyed picnics in the School grounds to the sound of the “The Rat Pack”.
In the afternoon, an emotional commemoration service was held in the School’s cathedral-proportioned Chapel after which the Year 13 pupils marked their leaving in the traditional way – ‘Hats Off’ and a tear!