The Duchess of Gloucester visits Gatton Park

The Duchess of Gloucester visited the Royal Alexandra and Albert school in Surrey to celebrate their 260th anniversary and toured the newly renovated Gatton Park, 260 acres of the Gatton estate made up of lovingly restored gardens and parkland.

The Gatton Trust was originally founded in 1996 under the name the Gatton Park Conservation Group. This group was made up of staff form the Royal Alexandra and Albert School and members of the local community who had an interest in the estate.

The School can trace its origins back to 1758 when a group of City gentlemen met and decided to collect up enough money to create a boarding School for twenty orphan boys. This opened in 1760 and twenty girls joined the School a couple of years later.

The Royal Alexandra and Albert School Act of 1949 united The Royal Alexandra School, which was founded in 1758, and The Royal Albert School, which was founded in 1864 as a national memorial to Prince Albert. 

Throughout the history of the school, there has been a strong emphasis on supporting children whose family circumstances mean that they have a need for boarding and around 80 students today are funded by the School's Foundation and other charities. Her Royal Highness met students and toured their accommodation.