Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, flew in to Stafford today to celebrate 50 years of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Past and present participants of the scheme are meeting with the Earl for an anniversary reception at Shugborough.
Staffordshire Youth Service, which co-ordinates the award in the county, is overseeing the event which is being attended by 80 youngsters as well as youth service staff.
Some of the young people are also joining His Royal Highness for lunch in the Lichfield Suite. His visit comes less than a year after his mother, the Queen, visited Stafford as part of the town’s 800th anniversary celebrations.
The groups of youngsters who will meet the Earl include those from Staffordshire Youth Service, Blessed William High, Stafford, Thomas Alleyne’s High, Uttoxeter, Kingsmead Technology College, Cannock, Ounsdale High in Wombourne, The Friary School, Lichfield, Staffordshire Wing Air Cadets, Staffordshire Guides, Cardinal Griffin High, Cannock, Blythe Bridge High, King Edward VI School, Lichfield and Weston Rd, Stafford.
Eric Drinkwater, a cabinet support member for Lifelong Learning said: “The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a cherished memory of youth for thousands of Staffordshire people. It is as popular now as it has ever been.”
Photos from the Royal visit will be in tomorrow’s Stafford Express & Star
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