Newcastle girls school confirms Prince Andrew plaque has been ‘removed’

A Newcastle girls school with a plaque unveiled by Prince Andrew has confirmed to NewcastleWorld that it has been taken down.

Westfield School on Oakland Road in Gosforth was visited by the Prince in 2010 to mark Jubilee celebrations.

The Prince made a special trip up North for the occasion and is reported to have "chatted freely" with pupils whilst visiting.

The Royal praised the school for its "magic milestone" and said: "This school has been a very successful one, particularly in its commitment to the education of the whole person.”

Outgoing head girl at the time Harriet Ronn, 17, said: “There was a really tense atmosphere before he came as we were all nervous about meeting him, but he was so relaxed and friendly and seemed really interested in what we were doing at the school.”

Since then the plaque has been "removed", as confirmed to the site by Head's PA Mrs Jane Jokelson

Westfield is a small, independent day school for up to 300 girls that was founded in 1960.

It wasn't the first time Prince Andrew visited Westfield School, having also attended a Board Meeting and opened the Mark Wood Building in January 2002.

The Prince has links to Newcastle as his youngest daughter Eugenie attended Newcastle University between 2009 and 2012, gaining a 2:1 degree in English literature and History of Art.

Since visiting Westfield School, Prince Andrew has of course been involved in a high profile child sexual abuse case.

The Prince has categorically denied the accusations but did resign from public roles and had his honorary military affiliations returned to the Queen as a result.

Earlier this month the Royal settled the case out of court with accuser Virginia Giuffre.