Writes Yuvraj B. (U6ths)
On Friday 22 May, right in the middle of A Level study leave, I had the incredible privilege of attending the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Celebration at Buckingham Palace.
I was fortunate enough to take my grandma with me as my guest, which made the day even more special. Just a few weeks before the event, she had sadly suffered a stroke, so having something so unique to look forward to really lifted her spirits. In fact, by the time the celebration came around, she was back on her feet and enjoying every moment- perhaps meeting the Duke of Edinburgh himself sped up the recovery more than the doctors expected!
I was also delighted to attend alongside Charlie Meadows, who completed the Gold Award with me and was part of my DofE expedition group. It was great to be able to celebrate such a significant achievement together, having shared so much of the journey along the way.
The weather couldn’t have been better, and the gardens of Buckingham Palace made for a stunning setting. Throughout the afternoon we heard inspiring speeches from Hugh Bonneville, Jake Humphrey and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, all reflecting on the impact that the DofE Award has on young people. One of the highlights of the day was having the opportunity to meet and shake hands with The Duke of Edinburgh, which was a genuinely memorable moment.
Looking around the gardens and seeing thousands of other Gold Award holders really brought home what an achievement completing the Award is. From the expedition and residential to volunteering, physical activity and developing new skills, the journey to Gold is certainly not an easy one, but occasions like this make it all worthwhile.
It was an unforgettable experience and one that I’ll always be grateful for. Being able to share such a special day with my grandma made it even more meaningful, and it was the perfect break from revision before heading back to the books. It’s certainly not every day you get invited to Buckingham Palace!
