The Royal Television Society yesterday welcomed a special visit from their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
The visit celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Society, of which the prince has been patron since 1997, and took place at ITV Studios in London.
A reception was attended by some of the leading figures from the UK television industry including BBC Director of Content Charlotte Moore, Secretary of State Matt Hancock, Chief Executive of Channel 4 Alex Mahon and Chief Executive of ITV Dame Carolyn McCall.
Also among the attendees were the RTS bursary scholars. The RTS Bursary Scheme aims to improve access to the industry for young people from lower income backgrounds. The scheme – which was launched by the prince in 2013 – recently saw its first cohort of students graduate, and 100% of them are currently working in television across the country.
Their Royal Highnesses met attendees and the prince was given an RTS Gold Medal – the highest honour the Society can bestow – before the pair cut a cake to mark the occasion.
The prince praised the quality of the UK’s television output saying, ““If you go around the world and… watch television in other places, that’s what makes you realise, more than anything else, how brilliantly professional it is in this country.”
Speaking after the event, ITV’s Chief Executive Carolyn McCall added, “We were really pleased to host Their Royal Highnesses at ITV as part of the Royal Television Society's 90th birthday celebrations.”
The visit also saw the royal couple visit the This Morning studio and meet with a number of ITV Daytime presenters.
