A Royal Visit

Tuesday March 14^th 2023

Her Majesty The Queen Consort has served as our Patron since 2006 and we were thrilled to welcome our very special supporter back to the school on 14^th March to mark our 100^th birthday.

Her Majesty The Queen Consort visited Elmhurst and shared her mutual love of dance with students, staff and alumni as we continue to commemorate our Centenary. The engagement marked Her Majesty’s fifth visit to the school.

Her Majesty was received by Professor Helen Higson OBE, Vice Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands and presented to High Sheriff David Moorcroft OBE, Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councillor Maureen Cornish, Elmhurst Ballet School Principal Jessica Ward, and Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet Carlos Acosta CBE.

During the event, Her Majesty met students and staff and watched a short performance ending with the Grand Défilé showcasing all 200 students. Her Majesty was also introduced to Mick Mortimer, grandson of Elmhurst Founder, Helen Mortimer, and alumni from the school’s Camberley and Birmingham years.

Her Majesty was introduced to international students from across the Commonwealth, including Australia, Malaysia, Nigeria and South Africa and met Birmingham alumni who are now dancing with Birmingham Royal Ballet – Emma Price, Miles Gilliver, Hannah Martin and Olivia Chang-Clarke.

Her Majesty unveiled a plaque within a brand-new centennial wall art that spotlights ten decades of Elmhurst. The 8.7m x 2.7m design is on display in the school’s foyer and takes the viewer from Elmhurst beginnings to its pioneering developments in dance training, education, health & wellbeing and research.

Jessica Ward, Principal of Elmhurst Ballet School, said: “Her Majesty is a huge supporter of Elmhurst and it is always a pleasure to welcome her back to Birmingham, this time to celebrate our 100^th birthday. The students are at the heart of everything we do and we are grateful Her Majesty shares our passion in providing the very best start in life for young people in our care.”