Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall returned to her roots at Queen’s Gate School on 23rd February 2016 to celebrate 125 years of education and to officially open the new Science Laboratories.
During her visit, HRH met with girls, staff and guests and other former Old Girls of the School. The Duchess took like a duck to water in various science experiments, including vitamin C and titration testing. HRH also met girls taking part in the BBC Radio 2 500 Words competition, for which she is an honorary judge.
The Duchess attended the School in the late 50s and early 60s and took part in a wide range of activities during her school days, including sports and drama. On this visit, she was treated to fencing and wall-climbing demonstrations as well as an ICT lesson, a choir performance and a trip down memory lane, perusing the old Queen’s Gate School magazines.
Upon unveiling the Science Laboratories plaque, the Duchess remarked: “I can’t believe Queen’s Gate has been going for 125 years, it feels like 125 years ago that I was here… Queen’s Gate must have given me a foundation and gave me a love of English and reading and for some unknown reason they have made me chancellor of Aberdeen University, so Queen’s Gate must have taught me something.”
The last time HRH visited the School was in 2007 to open the new Junior School building at 125 and 126 Queen’s Gate.
HRH isn’t the only notable alumnae of Queen’s Gate, with Old Girls including Vanessa and Lynn Redgrave (who HRH attended School with), Tilda Swinton, Lulu Guinness, The Viscountess of Weymouth Emma McQuiston, Nigella Lawson, Kelly Hoppen and Lily Allen.
