A Royal Navy veteran from Redbourn had the chance to interview the Duke of York during the opening of the Forces Media Academy.

Sophie Maynard, 26, is one of 15 veterans who has started the media production course at the academy, run by Services Sound & Vision Corporation (SSVC) after serving in the Royal Navy for three years. The aim of the Forces Media Academy is to provide ex-service personnel with training and qualifications they need for careers in videography, digital, TV and radio.

Sophie said: “It was a great honour to meet the Duke of York, especially as he served in the Royal Navy too, what a fantastic way to kick-start my education in media. It also made me realise that I am no longer camera shy, and presenting and interviewing is now an area I wish to pursue when I complete the course.”

The Duke of York, who is Royal Patron of SSVC, described the provision of the course as “second to none”.