Excited pupils at a Lichfield school have welcomed a royal visitor.
Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice of York was given a tour of Maple Hayes Dyslexia School to find out more about the way students are taught literacy.
The 26-year-old Princess, who herself was diagnosed with dyslexia when she was at school, met pupils before officially opening a newly-built room at the Abnalls Lane school.
“I have got dyslexia and every time I go out people always ask what it was like to grow up with this special requirement,” Princess Beatrice said. “It was never easy.
“School was hard but it also created an opportunity for me to come here today and talk to you. The one thing I want to do is to say not to give up. These methods are outstanding and I can see how valuable they are. I can really promise you that you only have to get through school and it will all make sense and be worthwhile.
“I feel so honoured to have come here this afternoon and hear about the great work that is going on in this school. Carry on with what you are all doing. Learning is the gateway to adventure and please take this gift and make yourself proud with it.”
The Princess was then presented with posies of flowers by 11-year-olds Lily Stevenson from Derby, who has been at the school since September last year, and Katie Maxwell of Great Wyrley, who has been at the school for the past two years.
Katy said: “I was very nervous this morning, but it was very exciting to meet someone from the Royal family who had dyslexia. When I gave her the flowers she said ‘thank you so much, they are beautiful’ and she shook my hand.”
Dr Neville Brown, who founded the school in the 1980s and set up its unique form of teaching, said: “The Princess had done her homework on the school and knew about the work we do in advance. I was very surprised about how relaxed she was with the children. Hopefully we can see her again sometime.”
The school has 120 students aged between 7 and 17 and headteacher Dr Daryl Brown said the visit had given the pupils a boost.
“It was fantastic to have Princess Beatrice come and visit us,” he said. “The essential element of it is that you have someone who can empathise with the difficulties the students are having. Having dyslexia herself, that is the link. I hope she found this visit very interesting.
“She has a very clear and confident way of dealing with people – those children just opened up to her. She has to be congratulated about that and I think we can hopefully congratulate the school in what everyone has done to make her welcome.”