Camilla unveils foundation stone for new Royal Academy of Dance HQ
The Duchess of Cornwall toured the building in Battersea, south London.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Duchess of Cornwall has unveiled the foundation stone at the new headquarters of the Royal Academy of Dance.
The new building in York Road, Battersea, south London, is almost double the size of the old premises, with a footprint of 60,000 square feet.
Camilla toured the building before watching a performance by some of the academy’s dancers.
She was then presented with the new building’s foundation stone.
Unveiling the stone, the duchess told the attendees how “proud” she was of everything they had achieved.
“I just would like to congratulate everybody who has made this wonder building possible,” she said.
“Having had a very short tour of it, it’s just doing so much for so many young people and old people like myself.”
Camilla has been the Royal Academy’s vice-patron since 2020.
As a silver swan myself I was inspired on my first visit to try it out. I have been doing it ever since
She has a personal connection with the academy’s Silver Swan programme, having taken one of the over-55s ballet classes herself.
“As a silver swan myself I was inspired on my first visit to try it out. I have been doing it ever since.”
Earlier, the duchess arrived at the new premises wearing a navy blue crepe dress by Bruce Oldfield.
She was greeted by Royal Academy chief executive Luke Rittner and the mayor of Wandsworth, Richard Field.
Mr Rittner told the PA news agency: “She was just very complimentary about the building, very complimentary about the performers, and I think that she is very thrilled to be part of the organisation, really.”
Camilla then watched a Silver Swans class, led by Sarah Platt.
Ms Platt taught the duchess as part of one of the classes.
They were joined remotely by a class in Perth, Australia, taught by Jamelia Gubgub.
The duchess joked: “I am very impressed by you. Being a silver swan myself I reckon I need to put in a lot of practice.”
On her way out of the venue, she met Cuban ballet director Carlos Acosta.
The pair spoke briefly, and smiled and posed for photos, before she left the academy.