[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OFyzEtN2RQ]
By Oliver Farrimond
CAMILLA Parker-Bowles went back to school yesterday to meet budding broadcasting stars of the future.
The Duchess of Rothesay, 61, went on a guided tour of Queensferry High School, South Queensferry, greeting delighted students and staff and even trying her hand at a spot of student radio.
Wearing a polka-dot skirt and blue lapelled jacket, the chatty royal paid a glowing tribute to the school after meeting the school’s sports stars and dropping into an English lesson.
She said: “I’ve had a wonderful time here today and I do hope I can come back to visit in the future.
“I’m very impressed with the schools enthusiastic atmosphere, and with the Jubilee1 radio station I think they make a wonderful combination.”
The radio station, called “Jubilee1”, is the only radio station in the UK to be based in a school and is due to broadcast on FM radio later this year.
The brainchild of broadcast journalist Charles Fletcher, it is run by a five-strong team of professionals alongside students, and even operates a facility out of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.
The Duchess was accompanied by George Grubb, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, and sat in on a recording session of the “Finnie and Fletch” show, having a go some production work herself.
Fletcher, who was awarded an MBE in 2004 for his work in the media, said: “It’s been a tremendous reception from staff and students, and we’re overjoyed to have her here with us.”
“I think it’s very important for Royals to meet real, ordinary people, and that’s what Camilla clearly enjoys doing.
“She’s always happy to meet, discuss and make conversation – it was a very informal reception and we thoroughly enjoyed having her.”
Jubilee1 broadcasts on www.jubilee1.com and plans to broadcast on 107.6FM later this year.
