Queen cancels visit to Scottish school over swine flu fears

Published on Wednesday 9 September 2009 17:26

THE Queen has called off a visit to a leading private school after a suspected outbreak of swine flu among pupils, a Royal spokeswoman said today.

She was due to open a new sports hall at Gordonstoun School in Morayshire – where the Prince of Wales was educated.

But next Tuesday's visit was called off after a request by the school's head.

A Royal spokeswoman said: "At the request of the principal of Gordonstoun School following a suspected outbreak of the H1N1 virus (swine flu), with regret the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have postponed a visit to the school."

More than 100 pupils have been taken out of classes following the outbreak.

No students have been seriously unwell, the school said.

A statement said: "We are able to confirm that there are a number of suspected cases of students at Gordonstoun School contracting the H1N1 virus.

"Some of these cases have been confirmed but none of the students have been or are seriously unwell.

"At today's date 118 pupils out of a total roll of 603 are absent from classes for health reasons.

"We are now working closely with the relevant public health authorities to ensure that all appropriate measures are taken.

"Because of this development a planned visit to the school by Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, who were coming to Gordonstoun to open the new sports hall, has had to be postponed."

Gordonstoun, in Elgin in the Highlands, has educated several generations of British Royalty.

The Duke of Edinburgh and his sons the Duke of York, the Prince of Wales and the Earl of Wessex all attended the school, where fees start at about 18,000 a year.

The school is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

Mark Pyper, principal of the Gordonstoun Schools, said: "We naturally regret that this outbreak of the H1N1 virus has occurred, but we are confident that, in full co-operation with the authorities, we are doing everything we can and should be doing to ensure that the impact of this development is minimised for all concerned.

"It is particularly unfortunate that the visit due to be made by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh has had to be postponed.

"There were naturally some important health issues involved with this and we would want their visit to be a special and happy occasion, both for them and the whole school community."

A Gordonstoun pupil was treated for swine flu by Greek doctors over the summer after falling ill while holidaying on the island of Cephalonia.

Natasha Newman from Highgate, north London, was admitted to an intensive care unit in Athens in July.