HRH Queen Elizabeth attended the service of thanksgiving for the Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey. Other members of the Royal Family are also at the memorial at Westminster Abbey for Prince Philip, who died last year aged 99.
Representatives of his charities, including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE), attended, along with members of European royal families.
One of these Duke of Edinburgh Award holders was Silver DofE Award holder Cadet Cpl Christopher Hunter from A Company, Enniskillen Open Detachment (cap badge Royal Irish Regiment) and is also the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet for Fermanagh.
The 17 year old who is a student at Castlederg High School has completed his Bronze, and Silver Awards is now currently involved in his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award through the Army Cadet Force and was selected by Fermanagh’s Lord Lieutenant, Viscount Brookeborough, KG, KStJ to represent the Cadet Force in Northern Ireland.
He travelled to the Cadet Training Center at Frimley Park the day before and joined 8 other cadets from the UK to prepare for Service of Thanksgiving. On the day of the service Cadet Corporal Hunter stood at steps of the main entrance of Westminster Abbey and under the gaze of the worldwide media he stood guard as the members of the Royal Family and guests passed by.
Afterwards he then had the honour of being invited to attend the House of Lords by Viscount Brookeborough, KG, KStJ, who was kind enough to guide Christopher around the Palace of Westminster, allowing him to sit in on topical debates in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons, and completed the day with afternoon tea in the Peers Restaurant.
Cadet Corporal Christopher Hunter said:
“This has been a truly memorable experience and I am so proud to have represented Northern Ireland Cadets.
-ENDS-
