Chanukah Party in the Presence of HRH Prince Charles

Wednesday, 19th December 2007

I was one of a number of senior prefects Dr Sachania invited to help with the supervision of 180 children from 12 different London Jewish primary schools at a Chanukah Party organised by Tribe at the Hendon Hall Hotel. Our role at the party was to act as stewards, and to look after the children as they undertook art and craft activities and played games. To our surprise, the party guests also included their Royal Highnesses, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

As the couple entered the room, they were instantly welcomed by the sound of the primary school children singing Shalom Aleichem. The Royals individually visited the arts activities that the different schools were participating in and joined in themselves. These activities included dreidel and candle making and producing a Chanukah banner for Clarence House, residence of their Royal Highnesses.

When Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrived at the ?station? of the school I was assigned to she was very friendly and eager to find out more about the dreidel. I offered her a paper dreidel to make, and she told me that she would have a go but was never good at art. I had to tell her that we both had something in common, as neither am I. She listened attentively to the children from Sinai school telling her what they were doing.

HRH Prince Charles also visited our group. He came across as very interested in what I had to say and he wanted to colour in a Magen David on the paper dreidel template. Although urged to move on by his entourage, he would not leave until he had coloured the Magen David in. Prior to leaving, he had a conversation with me. Initially he thought I was on a gap year, but I told him that I was still in the sixth-form at Immanuel College. We discussed my A-level subjects and he wished me luck in my exams.

Prior to their Royal Highnesses leaving, they lit all eight candles on the Chanukiah, and Prince Charles made a concluding speech.

I found this day most enjoyable, and it is one of those days that you will never forget ? the day you meet royalty.

James Werth ? Upper Sixth