Prince Philip celebrates Gordonstoun anniversary – Royal Central
As part of celebrations for his former school’s 80th anniversary, the Duke of Edinburgh returned to his Moray roots on Monday.
Prince Philip – pictured here in 2006
Prince Philip, who attended Gordonstoun from 1934 to 1939, was one of the school’s original pupils; becoming only the tenth person to attend when he arrived. Arriving in his black Land Rover on Monday, the Duke was met by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Grenville Johnston and then proceeded to meet both staff and students from the school.
Among the pupils Philip spoke to was Year 13 student Isobel Armstrong. Speaking to The Press and Journal, she described him afterwards as “super nice and approachable” and went on to say that “It was interesting to see what he was like because you see him on TV all the time but to say he was an ex-Gordonstounian is amazing.”
The Duke went on to attend a presentation on the changes that the school has seen since his graduation, enjoyed lunch before joining the school congregation in an outdoor service.
Watercolour of Gordonstoun House
Gordonstoun School was founded in 1934 by German educator Karl Hahn, formerly Headmaster of Salem School in southern Germany, after being forced to leave Germany for speaking out against the then-dictator, Adolf Hitler, in public. Prince Philip attended Hahn’s school in Salem and then continued his education at Gordonstoun.
The school has long had a history of royal links. During the 1960s, Prince Charles attended the school on the recommendation of his father, the Duke of Edinburgh. Princes Andrew and Edward also followed in their father’s and elder brother’s footsteps.
Of the four Princes, three (Philip, Charles and Edward) were appointed Guardian (prefect) during their time at the school. Princess Anne, the Queen’s only other remaining child, was not educated at Gordonstoun, which at that time was for boys only, but she sent her two children, Zara and Peter, while also serving for some time on the school’s board of governors. She is currently a Warden of the school.
The school’s close proximity to the Moray Firth and the hills to the south inspired Philip’s love of exploration and The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme – which was formerly the Moray Badge – originated from this.