In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), Buckingham Palace opened its gates to honour the extraordinary individuals who make the youth development program possible. Among the distinguished guests invited to the royal garden party was Riddlesdown Collegiate leader Miss Baker, recognised for her monumental contribution to the charity.

The royal event brought together volunteers, ambassadors, and young achievers from across the United Kingdom to commemorate seven decades of the DofE’s impact. For Miss Baker, the invitation was a direct thank-you for nearly 30 years of unwavering dedication to supporting young people in the community.

As a long-standing DofE Leader, Miss Baker has spent three decades guiding our students through the program’s core pillars: volunteering, physical fitness, developing life skills, and conquering challenging expeditions. Colleagues praised Miss Baker’s relentless energy and commitment.

“Miss Baker has spent almost 30 years helping thousands of students discover their potential, build resilience, and find their confidence, while experiencing the wonders of nature and the outdoor world,” said Mr Osborne, Principal of Riddlesdown Collegiate. “We are so grateful for everything she has done for the students of Riddlesdown Collegiate. An invitation to Buckingham Palace for afternoon tea is a well-deserved tribute to her decades of selflessness. We are all incredibly proud of her.”

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was founded in 1956 and has since expanded to over 130 countries, helping millions of young people transition into adulthood. While the milestone anniversary looks back at 70 years of global success, the charity stresses that its achievements rely entirely on grassroots volunteers like Miss Baker who give up their weekends, evenings, and holidays to mentor the next generation.

Everyone at Riddlesdown Collegiate extends their warmest congratulations to Miss Baker on this well-earned royal recognition, and their thanks for her continued support of the Award.