Warwick student gets royal seal of approval with medal

Natasha Franklin is the 21st recipient of the award and the second to receive it in person from His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

The award is given to the upper sixth student who has made the most significant overall contribution to The Defence Sixth Form College at Woodhouse, near Loughborough.

His Royal Highness, who is the Senior Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, took the salute and inspected the students at the college’s annual general inspection.

Parents and VIPs watched a military parade by over 300 cadets, accompanied by the band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth.

The 18-year-old, who only recently completed her A-level exams, said: “I am honoured to have received my medal from His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

“It has been a very emotional day passing off the Parade Square for the very last time as 13 Entry, and we were all delighted he was there to witness it.

“It was an incredible way to end two amazing years.”

Natasha is being sponsored by the army through the Defence Technical Officer and Engineer Entry scheme.

She plans to go to Birmingham University to read Mechanical Engineering.

After graduating she will attend the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to start her career as an officer in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

Other highlights of the day included a flypast by a Hurricane from The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and a display by the Royal Air Force Falcons Parachute Display 
Team.