The Duke of Edinburgh has immediately launched into royal duties as he hosted a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse after returning to the UK from his Canada tour.
Prince Edward welcomed 600 young people to the residence to celebrate their achievement of a Gold Award the Duke of Edinburgh programme.
His Royal Highness, who received his own Gold Award from Prince Philip in 1986, congratulated the young achievers, telling them they should all be “incredibly proud”.
The Duke met with Award holders to hear about the positive impact their DofE experience has had on their lives.
Prince Edward hosted a reception for Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award winner’s at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Duke of Edinburgh Awards
Joining Prince Edward was Olympian and British and European Record Holder, Eilish McColgan, who spoke alongside 18-year-old Glaswegian Nerea Winchester, who was celebrating her Gold Award on the day.
McColgan told the crowd to “find that DofE feeling again as finding your people, your place, your purpose it matters more than we often realise.”
Other guests included singer and songwriter Nathan Evans and beloved Scottish actor James Cosmo.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award announced record-breaking participation figures across Scotland, with 33,816 young people actively taking part in 2024/25.
The Duke spoke with the young achievers at the grounds in Edinburgh.
Duke of Edinburgh Awards
These participants contributed a 351,156 hours of volunteering, with an estimated total value of £2.2 million.
The charity reported that 20,363 young people started their DofE journey in Scotland during this period.
A Gold DofE Award requires at least 12 months of commitment, during which young people develop new skills and talents, plan and complete an expedition and residential experience, and volunteer for causes they’re passionate about.
Helen Anderson, Director for Scotland, described the Holyroodhouse celebration as “a real honour and a privilege”, noting the “thousands of smiling faces and proud family members” in attendance. She emphasised that a Gold DofE Award “will equip them with lifelong skills”.
Edward told attendees they should be ‘incredibly proud’ of their achievement.
Duke of Edinburgh Awards
Anderson highlighted that “over 20,000 young people started their DofE in Scotland” last year, demonstrating significant demand for enrichment opportunities.
She expressed the charity’s commitment to reaching “as many young people as possible so that even more can take part in a life-changing DofE Award.”
Friday morning’s event was Prince Edward’s first royal engagement since returning from his tour of Canada.
As part of his seven-day trip, the 61-year-old royal carried out engagements in Prince Edward Island, Toronto and Ottawa during his stay in the Commonwealth nation.
The Prince had only just returned from his seven-day tour of Canada.
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His itinerary included military commemorations, meetings with First Nations communities and participation in Canada Day festivities.
The Duke attended celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of The Prince Edward Island Regiment, where he has served as Colonel-in-Chief since 2005, and marked Canada Day on July 1.
His return to the UK came as other members of the royal family took part in their own annual tour of Scotland.
King Charles, Queen Camilla and Princess Anne took part in various engagements and visits during their own stay at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
