Supporters of our Charity celebrated with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh on 15th December at a special dinner at Buckingham Palace to mark His Royal Highness’s 90th birthday.
The spectacular evening for 180 guests was arranged by two youth charities in recognition of the Duke’s patronage and support over more than half a century, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) and the Outward Bound Trust.
The celebration was connected to an appeal to raise funds enabling more young people to do their DofE at a time when so many are struggling to get into work.
The DofE supports more than 300,000 young people every year, 30,000 of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds. It is renowned by employers, colleges and universities alike for the leadership, confidence and commitment it helps to bring out in young people regardless of their background.
The guests were warmly welcomed to the Palace by Prince Philip, who talked about the progress he has seen in the work of both charities over the decades. Then His Royal Highness, accompanied by HRH The Duke of York and TRH The Earl and Countess of Wessex, and all the guests enjoyed a wonderful dinner together.
Emily Mailes, a young mother currently working towards her Gold, spoke to the gathering about her experience of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and how she felt it had transformed her future.
“If it weren’t for the DofE, I’d be sat in my flat living on benefits,” she told them. “It showed me that if I worked at something, I could achieve it. It gave me back my aspirations and the confidence to achieve them.”
Finally, the evening ended on a high note with an appearance by the world-famous singer and guitarist, Eric Clapton, who wowed the audience with an acoustic set after dinner.