Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, visited schools, community and voluntary organisations running the Duke of Edinburgh award in and around Blackpool on Monday. He spent time with young people who are making a difference in their communities through the volunteering part of the scheme.
Prince Edward, a trustee of the Duke of Edinburgh award as well as chairman of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, visited both the Oracle Youth Club and Thames Primary Academy on Monday.
Pictures showed the royal, who wore a navy DoE fleece, beaming as he chatted to the young people.
The Duke of Edinburgh award was founded by the late Prince Philip in 1956 as a way of encouraging teenagers and young adults to engage with the outdoors whilst embarking on a series of self-improving exercises.
In order to complete the award, the individual must complete a series of exercises, a certain amount of voluntary work and a final expedition.
There are around 300,000 new participants annually, with an estimated 461,000 current participants in the UK. Over six million people have participated since 1956.
The Duke of Edinburgh holds another significance for Edward, as he was promised to inherit the title from his father.
It was announced when Edward wed then Sophie Rhys-Jones, in 1999.
Buckingham Palace said the Queen had granted the couple the titles of the Earl and Countess of Wessex and added that Edward would inherit the Duke of Edinburgh title.
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Speculation has been rife over whether Charles will honor his late parents wishes and give Edward the title.
In 2021, the Times reported that Charles will not hand the Edinburgh title to Edward and more recently the Daily Mail said the King was considering making seven-year-old Princess Charlotte the Duchess of Edinburgh.
