Lady Louise Windsor joined by boyfriend as dad Edward presents Duke of Edinburgh award in Palace celebration

Lady Louise Windsor joined by boyfriend as dad Edward presents Duke of Edinburgh award in Palace celebration Lady Louise Windsor, who graduated from the University of St Andrews yesterday, today picked up her Duke of Edinburgh gold award from her dad, Prince Edward in an event at the Palce of Holyroodhouse Lady Louise Windsor has followed in the footsteps of her dad by having her own father present her with her gold Duke of Edinburgh award in a palace celebration. The 22-year-old was one of more than 600 young people whose Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) achievements were being celebrated with an event at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh today. This year also marks the 70th year of the award, which was started by Edward’s father, the former Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, in 1956. Edward, who became Duke of Edinburgh following Philip’s death, handed his daughter, who graduated from the University of St Andrews yesterday, her certificate during an informal ceremony in the palace’s West Drawing Room. They were accompanied by a group of people who were speaking at the event, including Olympic curler Bruce Mouat and other award recipients. After speaking about the bronze, silver and gold DofE awards, Edward turned and pointed to his daughter, saying: “We’ve got someone else who’s actually done all three.” “Just about,” she replied. The duke asked her if she had ever been given a certificate, and she explained that she had, but that they had arrived in the post. “I did mine mainly during Covid, so they didn’t really award anything, so, nice to get it now,” Lady Louise added. After ushering Lady Louise across to where the other guests were stood, Edward handed her her framed DofE certificate. He said: “It’s all a bit staged, but it’s just to prove that you actually did get it.” As he gave her the certificate he told her: “Many congratulations and very well done.” In handing Lady Louise her certificate, Edward follows in the footsteps of his own father, the late Prince Philip, who gave him his own certificate at St James’s Palace in 1986. Edward shared his memory of the event as part of a “digital scrapbook” on the DofE website, marking the 70th anniversary of the award. In it he said: “One thing that is ingrained on my memory is my gold award celebration. Usually, my father would give the bunch of award certificates to a presenter to distribute, but this time he talked to our group, gave me my certificate and then said: ‘Well, since I’ve given you that one, I’ll give you the rest,’ and handed the whole lot to me to hand out.” Following the ceremony, the party headed outside to the gardens, where Edward addressed the assembled award recipients and their friends and families, which included Louise’s mum Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and Felix da Silva-Clamp, who she is said to be dating. He told them: “Just feel a bit proud of what you have managed to achieve. And when you leave this garden, just walk a few inches taller. “Because there are others out there who will say: ‘Oh, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, I can do that.’ The difference is, you know you can. Well done.” Following speeches from Bruce Mouat and award recipient Isla Ranger, Edward then made his way among the attendees, chatting with award recipients and congratulating them on their achievements. Isla Ranger, 18, from Lochgilphead, credited her grandmother, a retired teacher who revived the Duke of Edinburgh programme at her school, with inspiring her journey. "I realised quickly that the Award was much more than a chance to hang out with my friends," she said. "Through the sections, I discovered new passions and opportunities." She described the programme as "mentally challenging", adding: "Finding the strength to keep going when it feels difficult is something we can carry into our future challenges." Isla admitted there had been moments she wanted to quit - particularly after a gruelling Silver expedition - but said meeting the Duke and Lady Louise made the effort worthwhile. "It was really lovely to see someone that's graduated where I'm going to university," she said, revealing she is due to start at St Andrews herself in September. "She was so lovely to speak to as well." For friends Anna Falconer, Calum Davidson and Ruby Mann, completing Bronze, Silver and Gold together meant surviving flooded tents and the inevitable disagreements. "A few fall-outs along the way, because we all got sick of each other by the end," said Calum, 17. Their parents admitted supporting the expeditions had often been just as demanding. "It was shocking collecting them after the exceptionally wet one on Silver," said Anna’s mum. "I've never seen anyone as wet and tired." Also among the guests was Bryan Caine, 78, who received his own Gold Award in 1966 and has since spent six decades as a Scout leader in Cumbria. Returning to Holyroodhouse almost 60 years later, he reflected: "It’s fantastic that I've survived another Duke of Edinburgh expedition really." He recalled once telling Prince Philip that he had personally presented him with his Gold Award decades earlier - a memory he was able to share with Prince Edward during Friday's celebrations. "It's lovely to be here," he said. "I've been in Scouts for 60 years."