Duchess Of Cornwall Visits Royal Academy Of Dance


To experience the ways dance is being made accessible to all ages and cultures

Camilla, Duchess Of Cornwall Visits Royal Academy Of Dance In Wandsworth
Photo by David Tett

HRH Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall visited the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) headquarters in Battersea this week. The RAD welcomed Her Royal Highness to watch a range of dance classes and to meet with students of all ages, as well as staff.

The Duchess observed a Silver Swans session, a ballet class specially designed for learners aged 55 and over, which was taught by RAD registered teacher Sarah Platt. These classes, which have been launched across the UK, are taught exclusively by Silver Swans Licensed Teachers who have been trained to adapt ballet techniques for older adults. The RAD’s Ambassador for Silver Swans is TV personality and ex-news reader Angela Rippon CBE, who also attended the class and discussed the many benefits of ballet for older learners.

Her Royal Highness also had the opportunity to observe the next generation of male dancers take inspiration from the RAD’s Male Dance Ambassador and former Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal Iain Mackay, who led a Project B class just for boys.

The visit was rounded off by a demonstration of the RAD’s new Discovering Repertoire programme. Artistic Director, Paula Hunt, and students studying for the Academy’s BA in Ballet Education, presented a taster of this classical ballet performance programme which allows students to learn choreography from famous ballets to the original music score.

Chief Executive Luke Rittner CBE said, “It was a privilege and a delight for us to welcome HRH The Duchess of Cornwall to our headquarters in Battersea today. We hope that The Duchess enjoyed her visit to the Academy, and particularly the opportunity to see some of the ways in which we promote dance and dancing to students of all ages, and in 84 countries around the globe.”

Angela Rippon said she was delighted to have the opportunity to welcome HRH to a Silver Swans class, "It was wonderful to meet HRH The Duchess of Cornwall today and for her to see a Silver Swans class in action. Ballet is fabulous exercise for body, mind and spirit, particularly as we get older."

Silver Swan dancer Ruth Holleley added, “We were excited to show The Duchess that ballet is for every age group!”

About the Royal Academy of Dance
The Royal Academy of Dance received its Royal Charter from King George V in 1936. The following year, the RAD was awarded its coat of arms. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is its Patron.

The RAD has been based in Battersea Square since 1972, and is currently preparing to move to a new, purpose-built headquarters less than a mile away on the old Homebase site in York Road by 2020, the same year that the organisation will celebrate its centenary.

February 5, 2018