#United States #King Charles III #Front Royal #Randolph-Macon Academy #Queen Camilla

A Royal Celebration at Randolph-Macon Academy

On May 2, 2026, an extraordinary event took place in Front Royal, Virginia. The Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA), a prestigious preparatory school for grades 8 to 12, celebrated a historic moment by hosting a Royal Block Party, honoring Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla during their state visit to the United States.

This vibrant event showcased an impressive parade against the picturesque backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Organised by the city, it brought together community leaders, citizens, and distinguished guests for an unforgettable display of patriotism, performance, and camaraderie.

The festivities featured a ceremony led by the renowned band of Randolph-Macon Academy, complemented by performances from the Academy's Color Guard and Regimental Staff. Musicians from local Skyline and Warren County high schools joined in, exemplifying a remarkable showcase of talent, discipline, and community pride. Lucy Hooper, Chair of the R-MA Board, expressed a heartfelt sentiment: "Hosting Their Majesties in a setting that celebrates service, scholarship, and youth striving to face the future is both a privilege and a moment of great significance for our Academy, our town, and our region. This event demonstrated to the world the power of uplifting voices."

The cadets performing before the royal couple shared their reflections on this unique experience. Cadet Colonel Rania Husted '26 remarked, "I feel incredibly honored that R-MA was invited to such a historic event. More than anything, I am proud of my fellow cadets. Their hard work and dedication were evident during our performance, and I hope we honored our Front Royal community as well."

Bijou Kebbay '27, Regimental Sergeant Major, noted the nerves that accompanied such a high-profile event: "Everyone was nervous; after all, we were performing for the King and Queen of the United Kingdom! But it was beautiful to see how everyone came together to support each other and ensure that we all shone."

Founded in 1892, Randolph-Macon Academy has been cultivating character-driven, ambitious youth for over 130 years. Nestled on a 135-acre campus in the Shenandoah Valley, the institution offers a distinctive educational experience where structure meets opportunity, and tradition fuels transformation.

For families seeking more than just a standard secondary education, R-MA provides something increasingly rare: a clear path towards a meaningful and purposeful life. It blends the personal attention of a small independent school with the ambition of a world-class preparatory institution. Students benefit from small class sizes, highly engaged faculty, competitive athletics, a robust aviation program (both rotary and fixed-wing), STEM and robotics initiatives, leadership development, and one of the most respected college preparatory and service academy programs in the nation.

The Academy's results speak for themselves:

• - 100% college acceptance rate for the last 19 consecutive years.
• - Over $15 million in scholarships awarded to the Class of 2025.
• - 15 to 20 nominations to the Service Academies per year in the past five years.
• - A nationally recognized Falcon Scholar program with exceptional placements at the U.S. Air Force Academy, boasting the highest Falcon Scholar graduation rate in the country.
• - Options for boarding and day students in grades 8 to 12 and postgraduate students.

In an era where families are looking for schools that not only educate but also foster resilience, cultivate leadership, and prepare students for a meaningful life, Randolph-Macon Academy offers a compelling response. As Front Royal embraced the royal couple, the Academy continued to uphold its legacy of leadership, pride, and inspiration.

For more information, visit Randolph-Macon Academy's website at www.rma.edu.

About Randolph-Macon Academy

Founded in 1892, Randolph-Macon Academy is a coeducational college preparatory institution serving grades 8-12 and postgraduate students in Front Royal, Virginia. The Academy is recognized for its unique balance of academic rigor, leadership development, character formation, and exceptional results in colleges and service academies.