Edinburgh’s royal palace hosted a family milestone on Friday as the Duke of Edinburgh presented his daughter, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, with her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Lady Louise, 22, joined more than 600 young achievers from across Scotland in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse on 3 July. The ceremony took place just a day after she celebrated her graduation from the University of St Andrews.
The presentation mirrored a ceremony from 40 years ago, when a young Prince Edward received his own Gold Award from his father, the late Prince Philip, at St James’s Palace in 1986. The Duke, who has been involved with the charity for four decades, has served as its patron since 2023.
The Duchess of Edinburgh watched as Prince Edward handed their daughter her certificate in the palace’s West Drawing Room, before the royal family joined guests on the lawn for a festival-style celebration.
The event, marking the 70th anniversary of the scheme, also featured speeches from prominent Scottish figures, including Olympic curler Bruce Mouat, supermodel Eunice Olumide, and wildlife filmmaker Gordon Buchanan.
Elinor Anderson, director of the award in Scotland, thanked the volunteers who support the scheme, which saw 34,000 Scottish participants contribute £2.9m worth of voluntary service over the past year.
Elinor said: “We are incredibly proud of these young people. As they navigate an uncertain time, we will continue to champion opportunities that build their confidence, resilience, and human skills.”
Local recipient Isla Ranger, 18, from Lochgilphead, spoke alongside Bruce Mouat, thanking her grandmother, Rowena, a retired teacher who volunteered her time to bring the award scheme back to Tarbert Academy.
Isla said: “Through the sections, I discovered new passions and opportunities. Finding the strength to keep going when it feels difficult is something we can carry into our future challenges.”
