Students from Royal Hospital School celebrate the Coronation in style, including a performance on HMS Diamond

Royal Hospital School’s musicians (RHS) in Holbrook, Ipswich, were delighted to be invited to perform on board one of the Royal Navy’s newest ships, HMS Diamond, in London on Wednesday 3^rd May to support the Coronation of HM King Charles III and HM Queen Camilla. The First Sea Lord held a Coronation Reception on board and invited RHS musicians to play for his guests, an array of VIPs and dignitaries from Commonwealth nations, plus RHS Headmaster, Simon Lockyer.

Admiral Sir Ben Key (First Sea Lord) and Commander Peter Barfoot (Commanding Officer of HMS Diamond) spoke to the pupils after their performances, complimenting them on an outstanding achievement and thanking them for their involvement in the Coronation celebrations onboard HMS Diamond.

Simon Lockyer, Headmaster at RHS commented: “I was so proud of how they all performed yesterday on-board HMS Diamond, just a stone’s throw from the original school site in Greenwich.

On behalf of the entire RHS community, it is my pleasure to extend our congratulations to HM King Charles III and HM Queen Camilla on their Coronation. Their dedication to sustainability, their pursuit of solutions to address climate change, and ocean conservation are all causes that resonate strongly with young people. We at RHS share their belief that these issues are of paramount importance for the future of our planet. We wish them wholehearted success as they champion causes that are relevant and so important to successive generations of people both here in the UK and around the globe. 

Here at RHS we will enjoy marking this significant day in our country’s history and joining in the celebration. We wish them both a happy and successful reign.”

The Chair of The Seafarers’ Charity, Paul Butterworth, who attended the event, added: “They performed brilliantly, a real credit to the school – well done everyone!”

The school also hosted its own celebration of the King’s Coronation on Friday 5^th May, consisting of a lunch, chapel service and celebratory parade.

The service was held in the School Chapel to commemorate the Coronation of HM King Charles III and HM Queen Camilla. The service was filled with meaningful readings and hymns such as ‘Jerusalem’ and ended with the National Anthem. Additionally, Mr Mark Pendlington, the High Sheriff of Suffolk and RHS’ Chair of Governors gave an inspiring address.

Celebrations concluded with a spectacular Coronation Parade by RHS’ full body of 700 pupils, led by their pupil Guard and Marching Band, with Inspecting Officer, Colonel Matt Ketterer in attendance.