FOR Corowa High School captains Patrick Schnelle, 17, and Emily Black, 17, a surprise invitation to afternoon tea with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their son Prince George has caused a right royal fuss.
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The pair will be representing about 300 schools in the Riverina at a royal reception at the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday.
“We had to fill out an application highlighting our achievements,” Emily said.
“Then a couple of weeks later we got a call from the principal and he told us he needed to talk to us urgently.
“This flipped into my mind but then I thought ‘no, couldn’t be’.”
Patrick said it would be an honour just to stand in the same room as the royals.
“It will be a good experience to rub shoulders with these role models,” he said.
He said the country school was privileged to be given a look-in for the event.
“It goes to show it doesn’t matter what background you come from, you can achieve great things,” he said.
Principal Chris Johnston said he was proud of the students and it taught them to “seize the day”.
“It reinforces if you get up and have a go you can achieve just about anything,” he said.
“To be selected for this just shows what you can do if you focus and organise yourself.”
A school staff members has also made a toy koala to be gifted to baby Prince George.
Among other guests will be former Albury youth councillor Angela Larkin.
“It was completely unexpected and a surprise,” she said.
“I think getting to meet such a high calibre of people is just amazing.”