Mayor Nutter announced that
His Royal Highness Prince Edward, youngest son of Queen Elizabeth, will visit
Philadelphia April 26 and 27 to honour Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee year and to
support the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme in the city.
The Prince is Chairman of the
International Council of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award International
Association, a youth development program which operates in 132 countries. The
program was launched in Philadelphia in 2009.
During his visit to Philadelphia, the Prince will meet
with Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participants from Girard College, Science
Leadership Academy and Valley Forge Military Academy as well as students from
suburban high schools participating on an independent basis. Mayor Nutter will
join the Prince at Girard College for this event.
At Girard, Prince Edward will plant a tree in honor of
Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee of 60 years as Queen. His great-great-grandfather,
King Edward VII, had planted a tree at Girard during his 1860 visit to
Philadelphia. After a visit to Independence National Historic Park, the Prince
will attend a private reception to recognize the Commonwealth Societies and an
invitation-only dinner at The Restaurant School recognizing the accomplishments
of those in the program.
The
following morning, Prince Edward will be the guest of honor at a breakfast
hosted by the British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia. The
breakfast is also to recognize GlaxoSmithKline, which recently contributed $5
million to the youth of the City of Philadelphia, including a $500,000
designation to The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Philadelphia Program.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
programme was established in 1956 by H.R.H. Prince Philip, the Duke of
Edinburgh. The programme mentors 14- to 25-year-olds through self-selected
activities in community service, physical recreation, skill development and an
adventurous journey that includes outdoor experiences. As participants progress
through the program’s three levels – bronze, silver and gold -- they develop the
self-confidence and follow-through that allow them to succeed in life. The programme was brought to
Philadelphia through the Queen’s Jubilee Education Foundation. The foundation
operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Philadelphia Foundation.
There are 75 Duke of
Edinburgh participants currently in Philadelphia, including 30 who have received
their bronze medals and 15 who have earned their silver medals. In the fall, the
first gold medals are expected to be awarded – a distinction Prince Edward also
achieved through his participation in the programme.
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