Casey was one of the honoured few who received an invitation to the welcome reception for the Duke and Duchess in Sydney, but at first dismissed it as someone’s idea of a practical joke.

“At first my school were a little sceptical, as the email notifying of my invitation arrived on April Fool’s Day,” Casey said.

“It wasn’t until the invitation from her Excellency the Honourable Marie Bashir and Sir Nicholas Shehadie arrived that we could believe it.”

So, last month Casey attended the Sydney Opera House, where he got to mingle with everyone, from scientists and fellow students to charity workers and Olympians, as they offered a special welcome to the nation’s royal visitors.

“I met numerous people from an assortment of different career areas that all shared one thing in common, they were all outstanding in their qualified fields,” he said.

“I found the time enjoyable speaking with a diverse range of students and those who are already successful in a number of varied fields. 

“However, nothing could compare with the moment when the exquisite Duchess approached my table.”

Casey said to leave the venue Catherine had to walk directly past his table, giving the group “a fantastic opportunity” to speak with her. 

“While the conversation was a lot more one-sided on her part, I did manage to get a ‘hello’ in, as she waited for William to make his way out to the crowd,” he said. 

“It was a pleasure to speak with Kate and like many others, greet their Royal Highnesses to Australia for the start of their visit Down Under.

“It was a fantastic opportunity and an honour to represent Quirindi High School, once again proving what a wonderful school we have in our community.”