The full text of the Queen's speech:

"A Royal Charter is usually granted to organisations which have shown "pre-eminence, stability and permanence" in their chosen field. But these words, impressive as they are, do not entirely do justice to the achievements of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.  This may be because the Award is not about words but about actions: it is about changing young people's lives through practical learning; giving them the chance to grow by experiencing new lifestyles, cultures, and ideas outside their own immediate neighbourhood; and doing so in a way which is both enjoyable and rewarding.  As one Gold Award holder said recently: "This has given me a much less selfish attitude towards life."

"There is nothing to beat human contact and hands-on experience; because if history teaches us anything it is that mutual understanding leads to mutual acceptance and mutual respect.  And the dreadful events of recent years have reminded us what happens when we lose sight of this."

"That is why I want to pay tribute today to The Duke of Edinburgh. You had the insight, courage and determination to establish the Award scheme fifty years ago."

"Since then, under your watchful eye, over five million young people have taken up the challenge; across the world, 120 countries now operate the Award Programme in various forms. And in Britain the number of entrants from ethnic minority backgrounds increased by over a third last year."

"For these remarkable achievements, you have my deep and enduring admiration — an admiration which words alone can never fully express."

"I now have great pleasure in presenting to The Award: The Royal Charter."

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Name: Daniel Sullivan	Comment: It is so sad to say that the UK has a leftist media and they will do everything they can to make sure royalty never get the publicity they deserve. They cannot stand to let the public think there is value in monarchy so they must ignore and hide it. Ultimately, they want it abolished but they fear saying so. Good job Prince Philip.