The Duke of Edinburgh landed in the United Arab Emirates on January 31 for a whistle-stop mission that is equal parts youth inspiration and environmental eye-opener.
On the first day of his visit, Prince Edward, well known as the global champion of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, met with ambitious young participants from The British School Al Khubairat and Gordonstoun School at Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi.
Part of a wider UAE push to protect coastal ecosystems and biodiversity, the mangrove reserve is also a new kind of classroom for youth learning and stewardship.
As chairman of the Award Foundation, he used the occasion to celebrate how programs like the DofE empower young people with confidence.
Meanwhile, Gordonstoun’s involvement carries particular weight, the Scottish school being where the Duke’s father, Prince Philip, helped shape the ethos of the award and where the program was born.
After engaging with students and mentors among the mangroves, he visited the Zayed National Museum to celebrate the history of the UAE before joining a dinner hosted by the UK Ambassador to the UAE, His Excellency Edward Hobart, in Dubai.
