King Charles Becomes Patron of His Former Scottish School Depicted in “The Crown ”as ‘Absolute Hell’

Although he has since spoken about it fondly, the King’s time at Gordonstoun is broadly thought to have been sad

To mark the primary anniversary of , has accepted a patronage at Gordonstoun, the Scottish establishment the place he attended secondary college — and which he reportedly known as an “absolute hell.”

The King, 75, who attended Gordonstoun from 1962 to 1967, has turn into patron of the Gordonstoun Affiliation, marking his first official hyperlink with the varsity, reviews. The function was beforehand held by the monarch’s late father, , who was additionally an alumnus of the establishment.

Along with the late Duke of Edinburgh, Charles joins one other relative, , as an official supporter of the establishment, the BBC reviews. Anne holds the function of warden on the boarding college.

Associated:

Gordonstoun’s states that the varsity is “immensely proud to be the primary senior college to teach a King, and prouder nonetheless to notice how the years King Charles spent right here nurtured his love of, and dedication to, service, to the outside and to the humanities.”

However the King’s , no less than in the beginning — a interval that was portrayed within the second season of .

Within the Netflix sequence, King Charles is shipped to Gordonstoun on the insistence of his father, whereas each his mom, , and his great-uncle, , most popular he go to Eton School.

Whereas Gordonstoun is situated in Moray, Scotland, Eton is only a brief distance away from Windsor Citadel. It is usually the place the King’s personal sons, and , finally attended.

Prince Philip was decided that his son comply with in his footsteps, attend his alma mater and expertise the identical life-altering expertise that he had on the establishment — and he finally obtained his method.

In The Crown, King Charles arrives on the college, an all-boys establishment on the time, and instantly turns into depressing. He was bullied, discovered the bodily health facet of his schooling attempting and struggled with sure features of life at Gordonstoun (resembling home windows that gained’t shut within the rain), notably when in comparison with his life at house.

!

The royal is even mentioned to have nicknamed the varsity “Colditz in kilts” and reportedly known as it an “absolute hell” — a quote The Crown included in its portrayal of his days on the secondary college.

Prince Philip additionally had a difficult time throughout his early days at Gordonstoun, which was a brand new college when he attended, however he ultimately discovered to like it. As historian Robert Lacey phrased it: “For Philip, it’s a fantastic, pioneering second and in some ways was the making of him.”

Associated:

“Philip has been depicted as merciless for sending him to the varsity, however Philip did it [for] one of the best of motives,” Lacey beforehand instructed PEOPLE. “It was a unbelievable, growing stage in his life, after his damaged background. He thought it could be the making of Charles, however the college had modified. When Philip was there, he discovered the hardships, the challenges of the local weather and countryside uplifting.”

“By the point Charles was there,” he added, “the varsity had turn into a way more standard non-public college. It’s a poignant, highly effective story.”

Can’t get sufficient of PEOPLE’s Royals protection? to get the most recent updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and extra!

King Charles has additionally spoken fondly of his time Gordonstoun, even telling Observer Journal that the concept he detested the varsity has been “exaggerated” in 1974 — almost a decade after he left the establishment.

Equally, in a 1975 speech to the Home of Lords, he mentioned, “I’m all the time astonished by the quantity of rot talked about Gordonstoun and the careless use of historic clichés used to explain it.”

“It was solely robust within the sense that it demanded extra of you as a person than most different colleges did — mentally or bodily,” he continued on the time. “I’m fortunate in that I consider it taught me an ideal deal about myself and my very own talents and disabilities. It taught me to simply accept challenges and take the initiative. Why else do you assume I’m courageous sufficient to face up earlier than your Lordships now?”

For extra Folks information, ensure that to

Learn the unique article on .