Students perform for royal couple

The Royal couple spoke to the youngsters about their participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme before going to the school auditorium to watch them perform.

One played a classical selection on the piano before another gave a monologue.

The Berkeley Dance Company then performed, followed by students from Warwick Academy who sang a song from the hit musical Hairspray.

Afterwards, Prince Edward unveiled a plaque commemorating the occasion.

Before he started, he asked if anyone was “feeling faint”.

He added: “I ask this for a very good reason because the last two times I have spoken in front of an audience, someone has fainted.”

A student passed out at The Centre that morning during the presentation of awards.

The Prince continued: “Thank you for having us both here today. Thank you to all the performers.

“It is great what is going on here with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards.”

Aysha DeSilva, the school’s deputy head girl, thanked the couple for visiting and gave them a gift.

She said: “It’s not very often that someone of my age would get to present a token of appreciation to the Royal Highnesses.

“On behalf of the Berkeley Institute, I would like to present this small token of appreciation.”

Also visiting the school were Governor Sir Richard Gozney, Lady Gozney and Dame Jennifer Smith, Minister of Education.

The royal couple then left to plant a tree at Government House.