My first recollection of HRH was back in the 1960s when I was one of the first to join the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, which had just started operating at my school. And like so many the first time I met the Duke was when I received the Gold Award in 1967 from him in Buckingham Palace. It was amazing to see how we made remarks pertinent just to me. Perhaps without really realising it , the Award influenced my life in the years ahead. Twenty five years after receiving the Gold Award I joined the Award head office as Finance & Administration Director for ten years. During that period I had the privilege of meeting HRH on many occasions and saw his directness, decisiveness, with that glint of humour and off the cuff remarks. That opportunity remains with me to this day.

The picture shows my introducing members of staff to the Duke at Award Headquarters