Prince Edward attends Calgary awards ceremony

His father founded the program back in 1956 and Friday in Calgary, he was there to congratulate its latest honorees.

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, was the guest of the honour at the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards ceremony at Canada Olympic Park, honouring 141 teenagers and young adults for their community service, expedition work and recreational success.

A recipient himself decades ago, Edward joked about his own excursion during his address.

“I’m sure there were probably times when you were doing it when you were wondering why you were doing it and if it was anything like mine, it was about halfway through the expedition,” he said. “But it’s a great feeling when you get to the end.”

“This is your day and it’s a really special one and congratulations,” he added. “You all know that there are other friends of yours out there who say, oh the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, I can do that.”

“But the difference is, you know you can, well done.”

Other dignitaries included Lt.-Gov. Lois Mitchell, Mayor Naheed Nenshi, the chiefs of the Calgary fire and police Departments and Dr. Reg Crowshoe of the Piikani Nation.

One of the winners was 18-year-old Ellery Fleming of Calgary who said it’s a day he’s been looking forward to for years.

“It actually started with a promise to a friend I lost several years ago and it’s taken me all over the world, it’s introduced me to some amazing people and the experience from this is something that I will never forget,” he said, whose work includes working at a group home for people with disabilities.

Another local honouree was 20-year-old Mitchell Rudy of Calgary, who was joined by his brother, another recipient.

“This has really just been a great way of not only fulfilling my academic and my physical activity roles, but also for volunteering at homeless shelters,” Rudy said. “It’s fantastic.”

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