Prince Edward returned to the Rose Theatre to watch a racy all-student production of Spring Awakening.

He attended the musical performance in his capacity of International Youth Arts Festival (IYAF) president and on arrival was greeted by Kingston’s mayor, Councillor Patrick Codd, and festival organisers.

The performance on Wednesday, July 6, was one of three that have taken place throughout the Kingston festival, which were the first to feature an all-student cast.

Spring Awakening is a controversial play about teenagers discovering the inner and outer tumult of sexuality, and Prince Edward was warned as he entered the theatre that it was an “edgy” production.

Philip Hetherington, development manager for Creative Youth, organisers of IYAF, said: “The whole night went really well.

“He loved it. He stayed behind with the cast for ages afterwards, chatting about the performance.”

Visit iyafestival.org.uk for the full programme for IYAF.