STUDENT Fraser Anderson graduated with flying colours on his first official appointment as Melrosian Elect on Friday night.

And joining the 21-year-old in the starring roles of this year’s festival will be Queen Charlie Hume.

A jubilant crowd gathered outside the Corn Exchange on Friday after the official announcement of this year’s Principals.

Loud cheers welcomed the Stirling University student, who had been selected earlier in the year to lead his town.

Also on Friday inside the Corn Exchange, last year’s Melrosian Sam Thomson was announced as Right Hand Man for the 2014 celebrations and Graeme Crawford will honour his three year tenure as Left Hand Man.

Fraser told us: “It’s going to be a busy year as I graduate as well - it is all coming together and I can’t wait.” Although the Melrosian, as well as his Left and Right hand men, didn’t come as a surprise to the gathered crowd, the appointments of the Festival Queen and her entourage was news for most.

Charlie will be crowned as Festival Queen in the grounds of Melrose Abbey during the week-long celebrations in June.

Katherine Donaghy and Heather Panter were announced as First Attendant and Second Attendant, respectively.

This year’s Courtiers are Ruaridh Tullis and Matthew Kirk, while Ben Lynch and Alex Daunas have been given the honours of Heralds.

Primary One pupils Maia Thomson and Lucy Whiting will act as Trainbearers during the Melrose Festival.

Festival Charman James Marjoribanks also presented Katie Rose Whincop with the Festival Art Prize during Friday’s ceremony.

Katie’s entry will feature in this year’s festival brochure which will be published in a few weeks’ time.