I remember visiting Buckingham Palace to receive my Gold DofE award on a scorching hot day in May 2017, fortunate enough to be present at one of the last award ceremonies prior to the Duke stepping down. Standing in a group of other Gold award holders in the gardens of the Palace, we watched in nervous, excited awe as the Duke made his way towards us. Utter silence fell as we, along with Prue Leith, all gaped at him in admiration as he stood surveying us, something he must be well used to after decades of service. With all eyes of around 30 young people & parents on him, a twinkle in his own and a mischievous grin forming on his face, he broke the tension with the perfect opening question: “Are you all still sponging off your parents then?”

Laughter erupted, our parents chorusing an affectionate “Yeeess” as the Duke set about enquiring about our journeys through the award, and each person that day left with a fond lifelong memory of the man who worked so hard to bring the DofE to fruition.