On Monday 12th May 2025, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme Gold group went up to Buckingham Palace to attend a royal garden party and take part in the Gold Celebration event. At this event ALL young people are able to come together to hear from the patron of the Charity Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and have the opportunity to meet the Duke himself. 

Only 8000 young people have achieved this award in recent years and our 5 pupils, were the first SEND students to ever be able to complete an arctic snow-based expedition. Due to this the Duke spent 3-5 minutes of his meet and greet time speaking to our group - Cort, Sam, Celia, Jasmine and Patrick. He asked them all about their expedition and the challenges they faced and overcame. 

The group were also able to hear from celebrities such as Roman Kemp, Dr Amit Patel and we lucky enough to meet JB Gill (of JLS and Strictly fame) and Harry Clark (who won season 2 of BBC's "The Traitors"). They had already received their certificates and pin badge / brooch but they were able to meet other successful Gold achievers and their families. It was a warm, sunny and special day where the young people were able to explore palace gardens whilst enjoying a special cup cake and drink of tea in their new D of E travel cup!

D of E Buckingham Palace Visit