-Royal visit to Front Royal: Randolph-Macon Academy shines at party honoring King Charles III and Queen Camilla
A unique celebration of music, leadership, tradition and transatlantic friendship shines a spotlight on the next generation of American leaders.
/PRNewswire/ — Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA), Virginia’s premier boarding and day school with a focus on college preparation for students in grades 8-12 put on a magnificent pageant Thursday at the “Royal Festival” in honor of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, during the Virginia leg of their state visit to the United States this week.
Randolph-Macon Academy Royal Parade
R-MA Color Guard
Hosted by the Borough of Front Royal, with the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop, this celebration welcomed the royal couple to an unprecedented event, attended by local citizens, community leaders and distinguished guests, to provide an unforgettable scene of pomp, patriotism and spectacle in the heart of Front Royal.
The royal party included a combined performance of ceremony and music, led by the renowned Randolph-Macon Academy marching band, along with the Academy’s honor guard and regimental staff. In a touching display of community spirit, student musicians from Skyline and Warren County high schools also performed, creating a powerful display of talent, discipline and community pride.
“Randolph-Macon Academy sits at the intersection of history, leadership and opportunity. Hosting Their Majesties in an environment that celebrates service, academic excellence and young people preparing for the future is a privilege and a momentous moment for our Academy, our city and our region. This event demonstrated to the world what the Yellow Jackets mean by “the Power of Rising,” said Lucy Hooper, Chair of the R-MA Board of Directors.
The R-MA cadets who performed for the royal couple spoke with great emotion about the unique experience. The Academy’s regimental commander, Cadet Colonel Rania Husted ’26, said, “I feel incredibly honored that R-MA participated in such a historic event. Most of all, I am proud of my fellow cadets. Their hard work and dedication was evident in our performance, and I hope we made our Front Royal community proud as well.”
Regimental Sergeant Major Bijou Kebbay ’27 said, “Everyone was nervous; of course, they were the kings of the United Kingdom, so it was logical. But it was wonderful to see how everyone came together to support each other and make sure everyone shined.”
Founded in 1892, Randolph-Macon Academy has produced young people of character, purpose and ambition for more than 130 years. Located on a 55-acre campus in the Shenandoah Valley, R-MA offers a unique educational experience where structure meets opportunity and tradition drives transformation.
For families seeking something more than a conventional high school experience, Randolph-Macon Academy offers something increasingly scarce: a clear path to a life of meaning and purpose.
R-MA combines the personalized attention of a small independent school with the ambition of a world-class preparatory institution. Students benefit from small class sizes, a highly engaged faculty, competitive sports, an extensive aviation program (both rotary wing and fixed wing), science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and robotics programs, leadership development, and one of the most respected college and military academies preparatory environments in the country.
The Academy’s results speak for themselves:
- 100% college admissions for the last 19 years
- More than $15 million in scholarships earned by the class of 2025
- Between 15 and 20 admissions to US military academies in each of the last five years
- A nationally recognized Falcon Scholar program with an exceptional admission rate to the US Air Force Academy, and the highest graduation rate in the country for the USAFA Falcon Scholar program
- Boarding and day school options for students in grades 8-12 and postgraduates
At a time when families are looking for schools that offer more than just education—that foster resilience, cultivate leadership, and prepare students for a fulfilling life—Randolph-Macon Academy offers a compelling answer. As Front Royal welcomed royalty, Randolph-Macon Academy continued to do what it has done for thirteen decades: stand tall, lead with pride, and inspire personal growth.
For more information, visit Randolph-Macon Academy at www.rma.edu.
About Randolph-Macon Academy
Randolph-Macon Academy is a coeducational college preparatory boarding and day school serving students in grades 8-1 and graduate school in Front Royal, Virginia. Founded in 1892, the Academy is known for its unique combination of academic rigor, leadership development, character development, and exceptional outcomes in college and service academies.
Media Contact:
Director of Enrollment Management
Randolph-Macon Academy
200 Academy Drive
Front Royal, Virginia 22630
(540) 636-5484
[emailprotected]
www.rma.edu
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