King Charles becomes patron of Gordonstoun School

King Charles has accepted a patronage at his former school in Scotland to mark the first anniversary of his coronation.

He has become patron of the Gordonstoun Association, a role previously held by his father Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, who also attended the school.

It marks the King's first official link with the Moray institution, which he attended from 1962 to 1967.

Charles joins the Princess Royal as an supporter of the school, with Anne holding the role of warden at Gordonstoun.

King Charles on his arrival at Gordonstoun in 1962

In letters from his school years, Charles wrote that he disliked his time at Gordonstoun and struggled to cope in the tough environment.

However, he has often played this down since.

During a House of Lords speech in 1975, he said: "It was only tough in the sense that it demanded more of you as an individual than most other schools did - mentally or physically.

"I am lucky in that I believe it taught me a great deal about myself and my own abilities and disabilities. It taught me to accept challenges and take the initiative."

As a pupil Charles secured five O-levels and two A-levels, earning him a place to study archaeology and anthropology at Trinity College Cambridge.

During his coronation celebrations he chose four pipers from the school to welcome him to St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh for the Honours of Scotland ceremony.

Gordonstoun was founded in 1934 with a focus on life skills and service

Principal Lisa Kerr said the school was "honoured" that the King had accepted the role.

She said: "As our most prominent former student, His Majesty exemplifies so many of the qualities we seek to instil in our students, notably a lifelong commitment to service."

Gordonstoun was founded in 1934 by a German Jewish educationist, Kurt Hahn, after he fled the Nazis.

His aim was to create well-rounded citizens, with a focus on life skills and service as much as academic achievement.

Heather Woodward, chairwoman of the Gordonstoun Association, added that the King was an example of the school's values.

She said: "The aim of the Gordonstoun Association is to promote and strengthen pupils' links with each other and the school.

"Although it's almost 60 years since His Majesty attended Gordonstoun, his duty to service is an example of how the ethos and values of the school teaches students to think about others rather than themselves."

In February it was announced that the monarch had been diagnosed with cancer. but he resumed his public engagements at the end of April.