I was awarded the Gold DOE award in 1987, but completed it in 1985. I was given the award by HRH in a private ceremony when I was 3 months pregnant with my first child. I can remember how HRH happily chatted about the impending change my life was about to take and jested that he “wagered” I’d have a boy. 1.5 years later I was presented to him and the Queen at the Royal Buckingham Palace garden party and I let him know I’d had a girl. He was jovial about rarely losing a bet, but was happy for my news. It’s a fond memory. The award has and will always be a great source of pride for me.