Lakefield College School welcomed His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain to campus today as part of His Majesty’s visit to Canada.
The visit marked a meaningful return to Lakefield College School, where His Majesty completed part of his secondary education and graduated as a member of the Class of 1985.
Students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, members of the Class of 1985, representatives from Spain and Canada, and invited guests gathered in A.W. Mackenzie Chapel and Bryan Jones Theatre for a special community address and commemorative program recognizing the enduring connection between His Majesty and the Lakefield community.
“Today’s visit was a deeply meaningful moment for our school community. Forty years after graduating as a member of the Class of 1985, His Majesty King Felipe VI returned not only as Head of State, but as a valued member of the Lakefield community. For our students, alumni, faculty, and guests, the visit was a powerful reflection of the enduring friendships, shared experiences, and spirit of community that continue to define a Lakefield education across generations,” said Anne-Marie Kee, Head of School & Foundation, Lakefield College School.
His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain said, “Lakefield is, for me, definitely one of those places. Here, I found not only academic knowledge, but also a way of understanding the world — and living it — with more harmony, respect for others, and tolerance of our differences.”
The program included remarks from:
• His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain
• Anne-Marie Kee, Head of School and Foundation
• Hugh Macdonnell, Chair of the LCS Board of Directors
• Kevin Malone ’77, Chair of the LCS Foundation Board
• Andrew Durnford ’85, Past Chair of the LCS Foundation Board
The visit also highlighted many of the experiences that continue to shape student life at Lakefield today, including outdoor education, the close-knit and globally connected nature of boarding school life, and the school’s longstanding relationship with the natural environment.
The school recognized His Majesty King Felipe VI as Honorary Patron of the Lakefield College School Foundation and announced the naming of the future King Felipe VI Student Centre, currently under construction. The new student centre will serve as a hub for student leadership and community life at the heart of campus.
