Students of the St Andrew-based Shortwood Teachers’ College were in high spirits on Wednesday (March 23) morning, following a brief conversation with British Royals Prince William and his wife, Kate.

Despite feelings of apprehension leading up to the Royal Visit, students of the institution told Our Today they were pleasantly surprised by the relaxed demeanor of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their interactions.

In an exclusive interview with Our Today, College President Ramon Smith shared: “As it pertains to the Royal Visit, honestly I was very excited, the reason being it is not every day that the Royal Family visits Jamaica.”

The college president further explained: “Understanding that we are one of the colleges that were chosen, being in the capacity of college president, I find myself very honoured… .”

No doubt a moment he will remember for the rest of his life, Smith noted: “To meet and greet with Prince William, it is an honour just to share our views as a college and how we have developed and not only so but to give our suggestions and views on how we are manoeuvering through the pandemic.”

For her part, first-year primary education student Janelle Notice told Our Today that while she was nervous prior to her conversation with the prince, she soon realised there was nothing to be nervous about.

“He’s just a regular human being, just as any one of us,” said Notice. “He made us feel comfortable, (we had) a normal conversation… (all in all the experience) was very good for me.”

Sentiments similar to those shared by Smith and Notice were also expressed by Derrick Rounds, a fourth-year student in the school’s early childhood department.

Speaking with Our Today, Rounds informed that he had highly anticipated the Royal Visit due to the opportunity it presented to speak to individuals of influence as it regards matters of national importance.

“I was somewhat excited and I anticipated the moment because it gave us an opportunity to speak to those persons who are in influential positions, and are able to take back some of our thoughts so that it can impact the future,” stated Rounds.

Asked if he saw any advantages to the British Royals’ visit to the Shortwood campus, Rounds told Our Today: “Indeed I did, because some of the things we would have shared could be a gamechanger for the future with regards to helping education on a whole to excel, especially in light of the setback we have had due to the pandemic… .”