Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, recently visited Turkey to engage with young people participating in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award program.
With over 8,000 Turkish participants in 34 provinces, the trip highlighted the growing impact of the award.
Prince Edward in Turkey
In Istanbul, the Duke attended an awards ceremony at the British Consulate, where he presented 38 young people with the program’s prestigious Gold Award.
The royal visit and the 20th anniversary of the award in Turkey were celebrated with a garden party.
At the high school in Kabataş, Prince Edward heard directly from the students about their experiences of the award, including projects undertaken and lessons learned.
This allowed the Duke to see first-hand how the program develops skills such as confidence, resilience, and problem-solving.
The trip also included cultural activities, such as a visit to the Basilica Cistern museum.
Edward also met with Turkish business and educational leaders at a reception at the British Consulate.
In Ankara, the Duke had an audience with President Erdogan before laying a wreath at Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
He learned about the sustainability efforts of Hacettepe University, which constructed a green building using recycled construction waste.
Attending a reception to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Chevening scholarship program, the Duke of Edinburgh highlighted the UK scholarships as a unique opportunity for future Turkish leaders.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s visit to Turkey highlighted the growing role of his international scholarship program, focused on youth development, education, and ties between the two countries.