Prince William Surprises Students At Stevenage School, Enjoys Lunch At School Canteen

The students at a local school in Stevenage, Hertfordshire enjoyed a royal treat when they found Prince William eating lunch in the school canteen on Wednesday, Jan. 13.

The Duke of Cambridge surprised the students at John Henry Newman School after he, along with his East Anglian Air Ambulance colleagues, flew in and landed at the school’s playing field. The royal prince was transporting doctors from Lister Hospital which is located near the school, according to BBC News.

In an interview, the school’s head teacher Clive Matthew described the visit as “completely unexpected” and “bizarre.” He explained that the air ambulance would frequently use the school’s playing field as a makeshift helipad, given its proximity to the hospital. “Whenever they land the staff go out, we clear the field of children and offer the crew refreshments," he added.

"We didn't [realize] who was on the helicopter at the time. And then Prince William jumped off and came into the school,” Matthew continued. "He was great. He queued up with the children, he got himself some lunch and sat down. Then he was surrounded by a group of Year 11 boys who had a chat with him - it was really lovely."

Matthew also revealed that Prince William ate roast chicken, cauliflower cheese and vegetables during the unexpected visit. He also shared that the royal prince donated the cost of his lunch meal to the school’s charity, BBC News reported.

The trip marks the first day that Prince William returned to work as an air ambulance pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance after the Christmas holidays, Express stated. He also spoke with some of the students who joined his table during Wednesday’s lunch. “They asked him if he had enjoyed the Christmas holidays and he told the students he'd had a lovely time,” Matthews shared. "He was really nice ... I think it made the students' year to have a conversation with the future king."

Meanwhile, Prince William and wife Princess Kate are expected to retrace the footsteps of Princess Diana, as well as other royals, for their upcoming royal tour to India. Royal watchers are hoping the royal couple would also recreate the late Princess Diana’s photo taken at the Taj Mahal.

Apart from India, the royal couple will also visit Bhutan. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s children Prince George and Princess Charlotte reportedly won’t join them for the trip.