A Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet and Loughborough College student was honoured to be called upon to meet Prince Charles on a recent royal visit to the region.
“I still can’t quite believe we shook hands and I chatted with the next King of England,” said public services student and Sea Cadet Millie-Mae O’Callaghan.
Loughborough College students have been appointed to three out of only four coveted Cadet roles by the Queen’s representative in the county to assist with official duties – including as Cadet Forces ambassadors to accompany Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Leicestershire, Michael Kapur OBE if a member of the royal family visits the area. Millie is joined in the role by College Sport Science student and Police Cadet Halle Parker and Sixth Form student and Army Cadet Saxon Nugent.
Millie added: “Me and the other cadets were told a few weeks ago that there was going to be a royal visit. We didn’t know who it was going to be but we were very excited. Then a few days before it happened it was revealed it would be Prince Charles.
“I felt nervous as I lined up alongside the Lord Lieutenant and the High Sheriff on the day at Soane Britain Workshop in Thurmaston and saluted His Royal Highness as he entered the workshop.
“I then joined a small group of people who walked around with Prince Charles and he seemed so nice and relaxed and to be enjoying everything that I didn’t feel so nervous anymore.
“Afterwards I stood by the royal car and saluted again and then Prince Charles came over and had a chat with me. He asked what my plans were and I told him I hoped to join the Royal Navy and he said that was very good and that loyal people like me were needed. I felt really calm because he was so calm.
“All my family were there taking photos and videoing while we spoke. After he drove away I thought, Oh my days, I can’t believe I just did that.
“My public services tutor at Loughborough College, Jesse Jackson, said he was very proud of me for not only being a great ambassador for the county and the Sea Cadets but also for the College.
“It was an amazing day. I feel like, if I can meet the next King of England I can meet anyone and do anything.
“I am hoping that when I finish my course at Loughborough College I can join the Navy and study at university alongside it, eventually becoming a mental health nurse for the service. I have experience of this in my own family and have always wanted to help people out.”
Pictured: Prince Charles greets Loughborough College student and Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet Millie-Mae O’Callaghan