Pupils and staff from Barkerend Primary Leadership Academy were honoured to welcome His Majesty King Charles III to the city of Bradford on his recent royal visit to Yorkshire.
Alongside fellow Star school Rainbow Primary Leadership Academy, we were just a handful of primary schools invited to greet HM The King on his arrival at City Hall.
With thousands of people amassed in Centenary Square looking to get a glimpse of the monarch in his first official visit to Yorkshire as King, 15 children and four members of staff had the distinct honour of a front row view next to the red carpet as the royal cavalcade arrived.
Pupils waved their Union flags as HM The King arrived to the sound of the Bradford Brass Band and Punjabi Dhol drummers, as he stopped to chat to some of the lucky members of the public in the crowd.
As he departed City Hall after a reception with young leaders in Bradford, pupils and staff caught an even closer glimpse of The King. As they took their places next to his car, pupils were in touching distance as His Majesty gave a royal wave to the crowds before leaving for his next engagement in Leeds.
The children then presented the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bradford with a bouquet of flowers, giving the pupils a chance to express their joy at the lasting memories they gained on the day.
Year 5 pupil Aaliyah said:
“When I went to City Square I was excited to meet the King, I felt happy and grateful to be picked to come. It was a great experience to shake the Mayor’s hand and have a picture on the red carpet too.”
Ann Winter, Principal at Barkerend Primary Leadership Academy, said:
“It was such a privilege for staff and pupils to be invited to attend the royal visit to City Park in Bradford. Our pupils were fine ambassadors for the school, we all felt honoured to be present at such an auspicious occasion. When his Royal Highness stopped on the red carpet and took a moment to look in our direction and wave, it was truly humbling.”
