Hove Park students visit Buckingham Place for royal interview

By Ruben Traynor

Student reporters at Hove Park School were given an exclusive interview with Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, at Buckingham Palace as part of his 50th birthday celebrations.

The students discussed with the Earl his active role in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and his role as of patron of the British Paralympic Association.

They also broached the more personal matter of his forthcoming big 5-0 in March.

The students secured the interview after writing to Prince Edward when looking for possible stories for their work on the BBC News School Report.

The project, which is run by the BBC, helps young people gain experience of broadcast news.

Aisha, one of the junior reporters to write to Prince Edward, said: “When we wrote the letter we were expecting a polite ‘no’. It felt incredible and unreal when we heard it was ‘yes’”.

During the interview Prince Edward expressed his enthusiasm for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. He explained to the students how it was a life-changing experience for many young people, giving them the opportunity achieve their full potential whatever their circumstances.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme is open to those aged 14 to 24 years old. It has three levels – bronze, silver and gold. More than 275,000 young people every year from every background take part in the scheme.

More than two million young people have achieved a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award since the scheme began in 1956.

Poppy, one of the four students involved in the interview, said: “The whole day was fantastic and even though I was very nervous the Earl put us at ease before we started our questions.”

Another student reporter, Amy, said: “The interview was conducted in a grandly decorated room close to the famous balcony where the Royal Family wave to the crowds from. Just being there was amazing.”

Before leaving the students gave Prince Edward an early birthday card which was designed by Ruby Cooper, a Year 7 student at Hove Park.

A broadcast version of the interview will be aired in March.