It was 41 years ago virtually to the day that His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh sadly deceased presented me with my Duke of Edinburgh's award gold in the Welsh state room at Buckingham palace.

I had arrived at the palace with my mother and father who two are sadly deceased. We were allowed to park our car in front of Buckingham palace because my mother was disabled. We were met by a footman who took us to an elevator and we were taken to the first floor and walking down the corridor I noticed cabinets with beautiful porcelain China in and then we went into the Welsh state room where the duke came through to shake our hands and congratulate us on achieving the gold award.

In 1998 I was invited to a Buckingham palace garden party to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the NHS. I went there with my ex-wife and children and I was wearing my gold award lapel badge my suit jacket. The duke saw it came over to me and we had a conversation like two old friends who had not seen each other for years.

He was a lovely generous kind man who is sadly missed and will be sadly missed.