When did the late Prince Philip last visit Waltham Forest? And how many of our young people have succeeded in his award programme? Prince Philip, Duke of […]By Waltham Forest Echo

The Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, visited Walthamstow Town Hall nine years ago (Credit: Andrew Baker)

When did the late Prince Philip last visit Waltham Forest? And how many of our young people have succeeded in his award programme?

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh died peacefully at Windsor Castle on 9th April. He was 99 years old.

The Duke’s last official royal engagement in the borough was nine years ago, accompanying The Queen on a visit to Walthamstow Town Hall in 2012.

But perhaps Prince Philip’s longest-lasting legacy in the borough will be the impact of his Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award scheme.

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Created in 1956, the scheme is designed to imbue young people (14 and older) with confidence and practical life skills. It includes volunteering in your local community, a physical challenge, as well as a self-led expedition.

Here in Waltham Forest, 808 young people completed the award in 2018–19, as did a further 445 during 2019–20.

In those two years, the borough’s participants completed 9,581 hours of volunteer work – time believed to be worth, in monetary value, around £41,677.

Did you know? Waltham Forest College’s catering department once cooked for The Queen

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