On 8 September, the world was struck by the sad news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This event has, of course, affected the planned schedule of the members of the Royal Family. We regret to announce that the originally planned visit of HRH Prince Edward, who was due to spend two days in the Czech Republic on 20 and 21 September at the invitation of the Czech branch of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award (DofE), will not take place.
The main purpose of his visit to the Czech Republic was to support the activities of the DofE programme, which focuses on development activities for young people. "It was with great sadness that we received the news yesterday of the death of Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It was Queen Elizabeth II, together with her husband Prince Philip, founder of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, who embodied the core values of our programme. Responsibility, character, diligence and endless concern for others. They have both supported countless charities and societies, including ours. Indeed, they were always well aware of the weight of their voice and how many people and children they could help just by their presence. In view of the period of mourning in the Royal Family, the visit of HRH Prince Edward has been postponed to an unspecified date," says Jiří Zrůst, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of World Fellowship and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DofE ČR.
Prince Edward was due to present awards to successful participants in the Duke of Edinburgh's International Awards programme at a ceremony in Prague. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on 21 September in a solemn atmosphere and without the planned presence of a member of the British Royal Family, Prince Edward.
HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Earl of Forfar, is the third son and youngest of the four descendants of Queen Elizabeth II. Prince Edward has been Chairman of the DofE Board of Trustees for many years and took over from his father, Prince Philip, who founded the scheme in 1956, in April last year.
