Further to the statement issued by Buckingham Palace regarding HRH The Duke of Edinburgh’s decision no longer to carry out public engagements from autumn this year:  

Since founding the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in 1956 The Duke has worked tirelessly to enable millions of young people to have the opportunity to transform their lives through participation in the Award.

HRH has been actively involved with the Charity for the last 61 years as its Founder and Patron. He has attended more than 500 Gold Award Presentations in the United Kingdom alone and the Award now operates in more than 140 countries and territories.

We remain immensely grateful to HRH for his continued Patronage and send him our thanks and good wishes as he prepares to step down from public engagements over the coming months.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is growing year on year, under the Chairmanship of HRH The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, with over one million young people doing their Award worldwide. We would like to thank HRH The Duke of Edinburgh for his direction and support in creating the world’s leading youth achievement award.

For more information please contact the National Award Office on 02 8241 1500

MEDIA FACTSHEET