Follow the students’ journey step-by-step:

Day One: 
The excitement was palpable at London Heathrow Airport, where the students were met with a fleet of taxis, ready to whisk them into the city. Having arrived at their hotel in the heart of London, the students were greeted by Colin MacKenzie-Blackman, Executive Director at The King’s Foundation, who gave them an insight into what was in store for them this week: visits to Highgrove Estate and Dumfries House; barbecues with royalty; outdoor activities of archery and rock climbing; ecological science lessons at The King’s Foundations education centres; artisanal skills workshops with master embroiders from the renowned French luxury fashion house Chanel — this was truly going to be a trip for the ages! First, though, a hearty welcome meal in London with IFAC representatives and a good night’s sleep, before their first full day in London. 

Day Two:
Bright and early, the students travelled to Buckingham Palace to see the iconic home of the British Monarch for themselves. In an unusually temperate day for March the United Kingdom, the Palace was bathed in sunlight as the students wondered at the statue of Queen Victoria, the famous balcony that has seen countless monarchs welcome their people, and even had the good luck to see an official horse-drawn carriage bring a guest into the Palace grounds. 

From here, they travelled a short distance to The Victoria & Albert Museum, where Martha Torrington of The King’s Foundation was ready to greet them. They began their visit with a tour of the new The Great Mughals exhibition, where they saw priceless works of Mughal antiquity up close, including incredibly finely crafted jade glassware which has miraculously survived the preceding centuries. From here, they explored the museum’s main collection, of particular interest to one student who is an aspiring sculptor. As they turned the corner into Cast Courts, the gasps of wonder were audible: in front of them stood an exact replica of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, David. This bastion of Western culture and utter mastery spellbound the students, among the other many wonders in the room. 

After the V&A, students were led to a local restaurant for a group lunch, with British classics, before heading to The British Museum. Here, the students were lucky enough to be greeted by Sir Tim Lankester, who is former Private Secretary to Baroness Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Permanent Secretary at DFID, as well as being Chairman of IFAC UK. Sir Tim welcomed the students to this beautiful home of so many masterpieces from around the world, and introduced the students to three representatives from the museum who would aid the students for their tour: a private tour of Chinese art in the permanent galleries of the museum; exploring the great Rosetta Stone up close; and the incredible hall of mummies and ancient Egyptian artifacts housed in the upper floors of the museum. 

With the magic of The British Museum still very much in the students minds, they were then guided by foot to Covent Garden, Leicester Square, and Piccadilly Circus, where they were able to explore these iconic markets and London landmarks, shop, and take in the buskers and street performers. 

With the day drawing to a close, they hopped onto the tour bus and were taken directly to their Cotswolds accommodate, Hare & Hounds, ready for a new day of magic at Highgrove tomorrow.

Day Three:
After a beautiful breakfast at their accommodation, the students were welcomed to Highgrove Estate, the personal home of His Majesty The King in the Cotswolds — a region of tranquil farmland and golden-stone villages, long celebrated as one of the most picturesque and quintessentially English landscapes. Greeted with cups of tea in the foyer, the students were amazed to discover that the watercolours adorning the walls were in fact the creations of His Majesty. Having admired these, the students were led on a guided tour of the beautiful English gardens of the estate. With stories behind each flower, decoration, and folly, the students were inundated with the garden’s natural beauty, elegant design, cultural significance, and historical importance. 

Following the tour, a delicious lunch was prepared for the students, including a quintessentially English high tea with scones, clotted cream, and jam. Sated and happy, the students were then toured around the wood-crafting workshops on the estate and were shown the Chanel atelier where several young people are training for Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week to assist Chanel with their fine embroidery and beadwork. Known for its craftsmanship and timeless elegance, Chanel is a prestigious French fashion house that has shaped the world of haute couture for over a century. Its legacy blends tradition with modernity, and is currently the only haute couture house collaborating with The King’s Foundation. That wasn’t all though, upon returning to their lunch room, the students discovered that it had been transformed into their very own atelier, and they were taught themselves how to embroider roses out of thread and ribbon, which they each turned their hand to with impressive dexterity. 

Saying goodbye to Highgrove Estate, the students were transported to another important British Estate, Gatcombe Park, home to Princess Anne, The Princess Royal. This estate is also home to IFAC Patron and members of the British Royal Family, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, alongside her husband and former England Rugby Captain known for his triumph in the World Cup, Mike Tindall.  Both Mike and Zara serve as Ambassadors for the International Sports Promotion Society (ISPS), which shares IFAC’s Founder and Chairman Dr. Haruhisa Handa. Through IFAC and ISPS, Dr. Handa continues his deep commitment to promoting cultural exchange and international goodwill through arts and sports. At Gatcombe Park, the students had the honour of being hosted a private barbecue at the residence, attended also by Constantine Innemée, Executive Director of The King’s Foundation, and HE Brendan Scannell, former Irish Ambassador to Japan. Having sampled local meats barbecued for them by Peter himself, the students were each invited to say how they had found the trip so far: each of them spoke of their amazement at the generosity they had been shown, the warmth of their welcome, and the unbelievable experiences they had been privy to already — and we’re only just beginning! 

Day Four:
Leaving the Cotswolds, the students were taken once again to London Heathrow, this time with a flight headed to Glasgow. Upon arrival, two chauffeured vehicles welcomed the students and drove them to the idyllic Dumfries House, located an hour outside Glasgow. Dumfries House is the personal residence of His Majesty The King when he is in Scotland, and is where he hosts distinguished guests and World Leaders for intimate dinners and occasions. Nestled in the Scottish countryside, the estate offers a rare combination of stately elegance and rural charm — a place designed to embody the King’s philosophy of “living in harmony with nature,” where every detail reflects a deep respect for tradition, craftsmanship, and quiet beauty. It was therefore a special honour for the students to be hosted here, sleeping in the stunning Dumfries House Lodge — a setting of refined comfort and quaint architectural grace — and receiving such a thoughtfully curated tour of an estate so close to His Majesty’s heart. 

Having arrived at the Lodge, the students were given time to rest in their rooms, unpack, and settle into their new surroundings, before a three-course dinner of Scottish delicacies was waiting for them in the Lodge. At dinner, the students laughed — even samba danced! — and prepared themselves for the coming days. 

Day Five:
Waking up amidst the idyllic surroundings of Dumfries House Lodge, the students were taken to the world-leading farm on the grounds of Dumfries House. Here, the students got to see some of the farm’s most special animals, including the endangered vaynol cow, and even got to handle some of the newborn ducks and chicks fresh from the incubator. Dumfries House is committed to teaching the next generation the importance of sustainable farming, and is proud to be a pioneer of agricultural skills. In this regard, Dumfries House boasts the only lamb birthing simulator in the UK, which the students were lucky enough to try out for themselves: each of them, budding veterinarians! 

At lunch, in the conservatory overlooking Dumfries House walled garden, the students were gifted sketchbooks so they could begin to draw some of the wonderful natural habitats they saw around them. And they proved useful immediately, as the students were given a tour of the walled garden and greenhouses, and were even invited to plant some seedlings themselves. Though it will be weeks before we see the fruit of their planting, the gardeners at Dumfries House cut some fresh chives for the students and invited them into the kitchen to use these freshest-of-the-fresh ingredients in some freshly baked cheese and chive scones. A delicious afternoon snack to give them some more energy! The students were also taught about the importance of soil health, and were taken into the grounds to pull up a section of soil for themselves and to learn how to identify healthy, ecological viable soil. 

Back at the Lodge, it was time to clean up for an extremely special evening: dinner at The Great Steward’s Dining Room in the main building of Dumfries House. Outside the iconic front steps and fountain, the students arrived to traditional bagpipes filling the air, before being invited in for a reception drink in the central foyer. Here, they were met by Colin MacKenzie and Gordon Neill, Executive Directors of The King’s Foundation, and Nilesh Patel, IFAC UK Board Member, and his wife. In an ancient tradition, the students followed the sound of the bagpipes from the foyer and into the awe-inspiring Great Steward’s Dining Room where the piper put down his pipes and recited Robert Burns’s famous ‘Address to the Haggis’ before a freshly prepared and presented haggis. 

Thankfully for some, the haggis was not on the menu however…! Another beautiful meal followed, culminating in the students and executives alike discussing their trip so far. The students’ testimonials once again spoke to their happiness and amazement at the welcome they had received, one student even claiming that she had to remind herself constantly that she wasn’t in a movie. In between flickering candlelight and among wonderful company, this was a dinner to remember. 

Day Six:
Another beautiful start to the day at Dumfries House, the students were taken on a nature and sketching walk, each choosing an item from their walk to study, memorise, and sketch, taking in the natural beauty of even the smallest and most discarded object. From here, the students were taken to the workshop to try their hand at another skill: making a tote bag. No simple tote bag, however, and this project involved the students learning how to use sewing machines, a variety of stitches, and an intricate folded pattern that produces an elegant and unique bag made solely with sustainable materials. At the end of their session, they were invited to keep their bags as a souvenir from the trip. 

After lunch, the students then donned a new hat: that of molecular scientists! Armed with microscopes, flowers, and guided by the wonderful teachers at Dumfries House, the students learned all about pollen and its different varieties and shapes. Under the microscope, the difference between daffodil and dandelion pollen was fascinating, and learning about its importance for biodiversity was similarly astounding. 

The afternoon became more and more intrepid as the students were taught rock climbing and archery. With impressive natural facility, the students raced to the top of the 60 foot climbing wall, abseiling backward down to the ground beneath them; and shot perfect bullseyes on the range, trying their hand at archery for the first time. Quite literally, another string to their bow! 

The students were lucky enough to be hosted for a second time at the main house for dinner tonight, this time in the library. This room was originally the first ever Turkish baths in the UK, before being transformed into a games room for cue sports, and now finally becoming the Library dining room. Convivial and laughing throughout, the students enjoyed their last night in the UK in unmatched style, with delicious food and an elegant, intimate surrounding. 

Returning to Dumfries House Lodge, the students stargazed for a moment before catching a night’s sleep ahead of their flight the next day.