SCHOOL pupils mingled with royalty when they attended an anniversary gala for the British Council.

Five lucky students from St John's school in Epping had a surprise meeting with Prince Charles at the celebratory event at Chelsea Hospital.

The school on Tower Road is involved in a programme called International Inspiration which was set up by the British Council and is linked with the Olympic legacy.

The idea is that pupils learn from experiences in other countries and St John's has set up a link with a school in India.

Head of year ten and geography teacher Philip Latchford said: “Because we are a school involved in this programme the British Council invited us to their 75th anniversary and we found out on the day that Prince Charles was the guest of honour. We were introduced to him and all the students thought he was a really lovely man. It was a once in a lifetime experience.

"The students had alreadydone some work with students from a school in India so they were able to talk about this at length with Prince Charles and he was genuinely interested. It was a fantastic opportunity.”