A gifted teenager has been presented with an invaluable award by the Queen to mark her academic achievements.

Eastern Daily Press: Student Leah Bowman who was presented with a book from the Queen.Picture: ANTONY KELLYStudent Leah Bowman who was presented with a book from the Queen.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Leah Bowman, who studied at Springwood High School in King's Lynn, and her parents, Paul and Helen, were invited to the royal country pile in Sandringham this morning.

The 18-year-old met the Queen after the Royal Family, including both Middleton sisters, had attended church and was presented with a copy of the complete works of Shakespeare signed by Her Majesty.

Leah gained top marks in her A levels with two A* grades in photography and art and a distinction in her BTEC in fashion and will now go on to study fine art at Leeds University after spending some time travelling in Borneo and Cambodia.

She said: 'It was very surreal, I'm still taking it all in.

Eastern Daily Press: HM The Queen at Sandringham Church service.Picture: ANTONY KELLYHM The Queen at Sandringham Church service.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

'We talked about travelling as she had visited Borneo and had a whole album of photographs to show us.

'The Queen was really nice and very easy to talk to.'

The headteacher of Springwood High School also joined Leah and her family at Sandringham.

He said: 'It is fabulous and a real privilege for the school to have an endorsement from Her Majesty.

Eastern Daily Press: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke of Edinburgh attend a church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. Photo: Joe Giddens/PA WireThe Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke of Edinburgh attend a church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. Photo: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

'Leah is a wonderful student who was at Springwood for seven years and we are very proud of her excellence in the arts.

'Hopefully she will inspire more students to follow in her footsteps.'

Eastern Daily Press: Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews attend a church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. Photo: Joe Giddens/PA WirePippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews attend a church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. Photo: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

Eastern Daily Press: Crowds watch royals attending a church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. Photo: Joe Giddens/PA WireCrowds watch royals attending a church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. Photo: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

Eastern Daily Press: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke of Edinburgh attend a church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. Photo: Joe Giddens/PA WireThe Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke of Edinburgh attend a church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. Photo: Joe Giddens/PA Wire