Remembering our Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Categories: News, General
It is with great sadness, that we mourn the passing of our Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning Monarch in British history.
The Royals have long been associated with The Royal School. In 1850 the young Queen Victoria was the founder Patron of The Royal Naval School. A school founded for the daughters and sisters of Naval Officers. It was one of the first schools opened to allow girls an education.
The school has been honoured by the Patronage of each of her successors, including The Duchess of York, later Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. In 1952 on ascension to the throne, HM Queen Elizabeth II took on the role of Patron of The Royal Naval School and remained our Patron until her passing, on 8 September 2022.
The Royal connection has enabled generations of Royal School pupils and staff to take part in national occasions and witness first-hand historical events. The Royal Naval school girls who witnessed the coronation process from a close vantage point in 1953 wrote in the school magazine of their excitement despite the pouring rain.
The School was honoured when Her Majesty visited Haslemere to open the building named after her, the QEII Boarding House, on 30th October 1989. A picture of her visit takes pride of place in the entrance hall of our QEII Boarding House and the visitor book she signed and silver pen and ink used on the day are on display in Highgate.
The Royal connection was sustained in recent years by the ongoing School President, HRH The Princess Royal, a source of pride and honour to generations of Royal School pupils.
Her Majesty devoted her life to service and has been the most important figurehead for the UK and the Commonwealth during times of enormous social change. As a school community, we mourn her passing and honour her exemplified qualities: fortitude, consistency and service.