Reflections from Buckingham Palace Gold Award Celebrations
On Wednesday 20 May 2026, Denise Denise Pitot, CEO of YESS Foundation-UK attended the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award celebrations at Buckingham Palace as part of the 70th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Like many parents, educators, and business owners, Denise had heard of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for many years. Many families have young people working through Bronze, Silver, or Gold levels. Yet the true depth of the experience is often not fully understood until witnessing the achievement first hand.
Being in the gardens of Buckingham Palace alongside Gold Award recipients and their families created a clearer understanding of what youth development through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award really represents.
Youth Achievement and Personal Development at Gold Level
The ceremony highlighted young people receiving their Gold Awards after months and years of commitment.
What stood out was not only their achievement, but the presence of parents who had completed the programme themselves. Some wore their own Gold badges, showing a shared experience across generations.
This created a strong sense of continuity built on:
Challenge
Resilience
Confidence building
Teamwork
Personal responsibility
Leadership growth
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award continues to demonstrate long term impact across generations of young people in the United Kingdom.
Why the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Builds Future Skills
For business owners and employers, conversations often focus on the skills needed in future teams and workplaces.
These typically include:
Communication
Confidence
Problem solving
Resilience
Initiative
Accountability
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award directly develops these skills through structured personal development, volunteering, physical activity, and skills based challenges.
It is one of the most established youth development programmes in the UK for building employability and life readiness.
YESS Foundation-UK and Approved Activity Provider Status
YESS Foundation-UK is an Approved Activity Provider for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
This connection supports young people aged 12 to 22 in developing practical skills alongside their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award journey.
YESS Foundation-UK focuses on:
Business skills for young people
Leadership development
Communication confidence
Real world experience
Entrepreneurial thinking
Learn more about Yess Foundation-UK's approach to youth development through business education here
Youth development programmes
Buckingham Palace and the Value of Opportunity
Entering Buckingham Palace for the Gold Award celebrations initially felt like a large formal gathering among many guests.
However, leaving the event and seeing visitors outside the gates highlighted the significance of the invitation and the achievement of those inside.
The young people present had earned their place through sustained effort, commitment, and personal development over time.
Why Youth Development Programmes Matter Today
Young people today face increasing uncertainty around career paths, confidence, and future opportunities.
Programmes that focus on real world skills, resilience, and self belief play an important role in supporting long term personal development.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award continues to provide this structure through meaningful challenge and achievement.
YESS Foundation-UK complements this by helping young people apply those skills in practical business and leadership contexts.
Building Confidence Through Experience
The combination of structured challenge and real world application helps young people develop stronger self belief.
Key outcomes include:
Stronger communication skills
Increased confidence in decision making
Improved teamwork and leadership ability
Greater resilience in facing challenges
A clearer sense of future direction
Final Reflection on Youth Achievement and Future Potential
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is not only about completing a programme. It is about long term personal development and discovering capability.
YESS Foundation-UK is proud to support young people through this journey as an Approved Activity Provider, helping to strengthen the link between education, business skills, and future opportunity.
If you would like to learn more about YESS Foundation UK and how they support young people aged 12 to 22, visit
YESS Foundation UK