Young people taking up Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in record numbers, says charity

The scheme was set up by Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh in 1956 and is considered one of his greatest legacies.

Edward was given his father’s title of Duke of Edinburgh and is patron of the awards for young people (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Archive)

More than 320,000 young people started their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in the past year, the highest number in the youth scheme’s 67-year history.

More than half a million young people are currently working towards their award across the UK, the charity’s annual statistics show.

The 537,759 figure is up more than 10% on 2021/22.