A DEDICATED Inverclyde secondary school pupil who played a leading role in the Coronation has received a surprise royal honour.

Ailsa Russell, who is in sixth year at Clydeview Academy, was presented with the King's Coronation medal for her involvement in the Royal Honours of Scotland ceremony in July 2023.

The Right Honourable Lord Lyon Dr Joseph John Morrow visited the school to make the surprise presentation to Ailsa, and to thank the school for its support following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation.

At the Royal Honours of Scotland ceremony, head girl Ailsa, alongside a head boy from a school in the east of Scotland, escorted the Duke of Hamilton as he carried the crown of Scotland into St Giles Cathedral and presented it to the King. 

Greenock Telegraph:
Ailsa, 17, said receiving the coveted medal, which features a depiction of the heads of King Charles and Queen Camilla, was a 'complete surprise'. 

She added: "This is a huge surprise, I wasn't expecting this at all. 

"You never expect to get the chance to get involved in anything like the King's Coronation. 

"It's a lovely commemoration of the whole experience."

The Right Honourable Lord Lyon Dr Joseph Morrow said Ailsa played a 'very important role' on the day, and says she is one of very few people in Scotland - and one of the youngest - to receive the coveted honour. 

Dr Morrow added: "I felt that because everyone did such a good job on the day, it was important they got some recognition, so I applied for the medal for them. 

"It's been lovely to come to the school to present the medal to Ailsa in person and thank her for her help. 

"It was just wonderful to see young people participating and getting so much out of the experience on the day. 

"They now have the chance to explain to the next generation what being part of history was all about."

Greenock Telegraph:
The Right Honourable Lord Lyon told pupils that the Royal Honours of Scotland - comprising a crown, sword, and sceptre - are symbols of what it means to be a Scot. 

Dr Morrow has been a friend of Clydeview for a few years and said he's 'very proud' of the work being done in the school. 

He added: "There are fantastic values here at Clydeview and it's clear that the young people are learning about what it means to be a good citizen and a good person."

Greenock Telegraph:
Ailsa said her parents Muriel and Alan were very proud of her involvement in the Coronation and thrilled to see her take the honour at the special assembly. 

She added: "It was a really great experience. 

"I was part of the People's Procession, which was amazing. Everyone was clapping and cheering us along. 

"The day was so full of excitement and I had so many things to think about. 

"It started to sink in the day after, when I realised I had been involved in a huge part of history."

Provost Drew McKenzie said: "I'm very proud that Inverclyde had such a prominent position on such an historic day. 

"I'm sure that Ailsa will never forget the day and her medal will always be treasured."