The Day We Met The Queen - Recollections of the Headmaster | News

March 28th 2019

The day we met The Queen – recollections of the Headmaster

Thursday 28^th March 2019 will be a day that none of us at King’s Bruton will ever forget, as Her Majesty The Queen honoured the School by officially opening The Queen Elizabeth Music School to celebrate the School’s 500^th anniversary.

The 28^th March involved hours of planning between the School, the Lord Lieutenant’s Office and Buckingham Palace. The schedule for the day was updated 14 times, and every last detail was discussed and planned for. I was aware of the Royal visit from October 2018 and over the ensuing months my realisation that The Queen’s visit was actually happening grew stronger. I did a lot of preparation watching recent Royal visits on YouTube, so that I knew how people hosted The Queen, along with the format for unveiling plaques and signing visitors’ books. Therefore, I had planned carefully in advance where I needed to stand and how I needed to direct Her Majesty to be in the right position at various points of the tour during the day.

I was up early on the 28^th after a poor night’s sleep, but felt ready for the day ahead. There was plenty of early morning fog as a series of police vans started to arrive on Abbey. Over the course of the morning more police arrived, and I think the whole school started to appreciate the significance of the day ahead.

I had written the four short speeches I had to give, and had a concise plan for each aspect of the visit. I was conscious to keep out of camera shots so that there were plenty of pictures of pupils with The Queen. Guests for the opening of the music school started arriving quite early but as I was busy getting ready, there was little time to chat. The Bursar briefed all the guests in the Hauser & Wirth Recital Hall and I said a few welcoming words. Two personal protection police officers approached me to say that The Queen (or in their words, the ‘Principal’) had left her previous venue. At this stage I knew this was the time for the School, and for me as a Headmaster, to put all the plans into action.

The Senior Warden and I moved into position and one of the protection officers gave me a five-minute warning. I asked a couple of girls in the crowd if I looked smart, partly as a joke, partly for reassurance. One of our L6^th girls said to me, ‘Sir, good luck, you will do really well.’ This small act of kindness was unexpected and actually meant a huge amount to me.

As we waited for the Royal party to arrive, we could hear the cheers from Plox as the Royal convoy started to turn into the school in front of New House. There was a clear increase in excitement as pupils and staff said, ‘She’s coming, she’s coming!’ The Union Flags and the King’s Bruton flags started to wave and people started to cheer as the majestic Royal Bentley came to halt. The Queen, dressed in light green, got out from her car and was introduced, firstly, to the Senior Warden and then to me. It was with great pride that I escorted Her Majesty towards the music school and I made a promise to myself that I would look after her, that I would ensure she received the best possible tour of the school, and that I would enjoy the next two hours in Her Majesty’s company.

It was bright and warm as we walked across the Old House Yard, but I forgot to look up at the Royal Standard flying above Old House as I was too busy talking to Her Majesty. The Queen greeted everyone with genuine interest and kindness, and I was surprised at how long she was prepared to spend with each pupil. The tour of the teaching side of the music school went smoothly and I then escorted The Queen into the recital hall in front of the Governors and guests. I said a few short words of introduction before inviting the Chapel Choir to sing the commissioned 500^th anthem ‘King of Glory, King of Peace’ and then 'The Magnificat'. The singing was exceptional, and it was at this stage that I started to really relax and enjoy yourself.

A favourite moment of the day (one of many favourite moments, to be fair) was when The Queen unveiled the plaque and signed the visitors’ book. My thoughts went back over 4 years of governors’ meetings, fundraising initiatives, and hours of planning that brought the vision of a 500^th building to the reality of The Queen Elizabeth Music School. It seemed more relaxed as we left the music school because I felt that everyone was more natural on seeing The Queen for the second time.

The Queen received a posy from the youngest Year 3 Hazlegrove pupil, who was clearly nervous but did exceptionally well. I then escorted her Majesty to a County Lunch in the Memorial Hall for 100 invited guests from around Somerset, and had the honour of speaking to The Queen over lunch. She was interested in the School and the 500^th anniversary, and she was particularly impressed that all the service staff were BTEC Hospitality pupils from King’s. I thanked the BTEC pupils in my final, short speech of the day, and The Queen herself led a spontaneous round of applause.

As we left lunch, Her Majesty chatted freely and easily with the BTEC pupils and I felt their sense of pride in what they had achieved. My final worry was that Her Majesty may trip she down the Memorial Hall steps, but she held onto the barrier commenting that, given her age, she didn’t enjoy steps that much anymore. After retiring for a second time The Queen came out to name a police horse which was a magical moment for me as it was the first time that I had seen everyone together, with all the guests, staff and pupils positioned around the Memorial Hall lawn. I was very proud as the Head Girl gave Her Majesty the gift of the ‘Treasures of King’s’ book and the Head Boy led the three cheers. I looked across to Old House and saw the Royal Standard gently fluttering against a bright blue sky, and I knew that we had managed to create a wonderful day of 500^th celebration.

I was so very proud of the whole school, and by that I do mean the whole school - each and every pupil and every member of the teaching and support staff.

I then had to say goodbye to Her Majesty at the Hauser & Wirth Gallery, and so unfortunately, I missed her final departure by helicopter from Hyde, but as I walked round to Hyde from the Gallery, I met staff and pupils who clearly had had a memorable day. King’s Bruton was honoured to have Her Majesty The Queen visit us to officially open The Queen Elizabeth Music School for the 500^th anniversary, and we will never forget 28^th March 2019. Deo Juvante.

Ian Wilmshurst M.A. (Cantab) - Headmaster