The Duke of Edinburgh officially opens BSB in December 1970

“The official opening of the school in December 1970 was a momentous occasion. I was introduced to Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, and a week or so later discovered a photo of myself, talking to the Duke, had appeared in the Belgian Paris Match!” recalls Hilary Vervaeck, one of the first group of teaching staff at the school.

An edited version of the book ‘21 Years of Creating Excellence’ published in 1992 recalls: “After the move to Tervuren (from Rue de la Loi temporary site), the first term was dominated by the official opening of the school on December 9, 1970 by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. The occasion was planned with great care so that it would be an impressive and enjoyable event. This was an occasion for celebration and a welcome to the future!”

The guest list grew to 700 (including all the parents of the then 223 children, Belgian Ministers of Education, the British Ambassador and the Mayor of Tervuren). Building 1 was the only building that existed at that time and clearly wouldn’t be sufficient for all the guests, so a marquee was set up. “It was most impressive in its red, white and blue colours”.