Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex encouraged 23 recipients of the prestigious President’s Award “to walk taller” because of their achievement. Prince Edward and Princess Sofie, Earl and Countess of Wessex are in T&T on a two-day visit to mark the occasion of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Prince Edward is the fourth child and third son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The couple arrived in T&T yesterday morning in the RFA Fort Rosalie, one of the ships of the royal fleet which docked at the Cruise Ship Complex in Port-of-Spain. The couple was escorted to Knowsley Building, Queen’s Park West, Port-of-Spain around 11.05 am in a navy blue seven series BMW where they paid a courtesy call to president George Maxwell Richards and Dr Jean Ramjohn-Richards before the presentation ceremony and reception for awardees which started at 11.45 am. The couple arrived with a heavy security detail, along with officials from the British High Commission. Prince Edward was scheduled to address the ceremony after Richards but asked to speak after the presentation of awards. His request was obliged by Richards.
The 23 awardees were from the Naparima Girls’ High School Open Unit, Metal Industries Presidents’ Award Unit and the T&T Cadet Force Unit. They received gold awards. The President’s Award is the successor programme to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. The name change occurred when T&T became a Republic in 1976. Prince Edward is also a recipient of the Duke of Edinburgh Award (gold). When he stood before the podium, Prince Edward he said: “Congratulations everyone, well done. Please, please sit down and relax.” He apologised for changing the order of proceedings. He congratulated the awardees and those who supported them. Prince Edward said: “The reason that we are all here is because of you. “You are the achievers. “You have pursued your award and you’ve achieved the gold award. “Welcome to the National Association of Gold Award Holders but also the International Association of Gold Award Holders.” He thanked those who supported the awardees and said the awards at presidential level made it worthwhile.
Prince Edward also noted T&T’s 50th Independence anniversary later this year. He offered congratulations saying he was delighted to be in T&T to share in celebrations. Prince Edward said: “It is a great pleasure travelling around the world and meeting so many young people and young leaders involved in the programme.” He praised the teachers, groups, friends, parents and leaders and asked them to share in the pride of watching the awardees receive their awards. He said: “When you walk out of this room a little bit later just walk a little bit taller. “I am sure there are other friends out there who say ohhh...the President’s Award...I can do that. “But the difference is, you know you can.” The Prince and Princess later spoke briefly to parents and departed around 12.15 pm for the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s.
-Rhonda Krystal Rambally
Source: www.guardian.co.tt