On July 3, 2026, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh hosted young people from across Scotland and the north of England at the Gold Award celebrations for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Lady Louise Windsor joined 600 young people in receiving their Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Awards at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Lady Louise received her framed certificate from her father, the Duke of Edinburgh, who is Patron of the Award, which was established by Prince Philip in 1956. The Award helps young people gain the confidence and skills they need to reach their full potential. Lady Louise Windsor then joined the other Gold Award recipients from across Scotland and the north of England to listen to the Duke of Edinburgh's speech.
For the occasion, the Duchess of Edinburgh wore a ruffled floral-print linen midi dress by Zimmermann, while Lady Louise Windsor wore a pale blue flare midi dress by Hobbs London.
Aha I see her red haired beau seated next to her. Nice colour dress and it fits her well, I am not a fan of this style but she has the figure for it. .DoE like the colour and print looked nice until I saw that it has the frill on the bottom. Oh well.
ردحذفI never understand how these awards recipients are chosen, seems alittle biased.
She has a beau! their kids will have lovely dimples.
حذفThere’s no bias in the Duke of Edinburgh awards; young people do the work to achieve the milestones to achieve the award.
حذفEach young person builds their own DofE programmes – picking their own activities and choosing which cause to volunteer for – in order to achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold DofE Award. The DofE is run in schools, youth clubs, hospitals, fostering agencies, prisons, sports clubs and more, all over the UK and internationally.
حذفEach young person builds their own DofE programmes – picking their own activities and choosing which cause to volunteer for – in order to achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold DofE Award. The DofE is run in schools, youth clubs, hospitals, fostering agencies, prisons, sports clubs and more, all over the UK and internationally.
حذفThe awardees are “chosen” in quite a transparent way. You can read about it here: https://www.dofe.org/do/timescales/
حذفT
To Anon 16:20
حذفJust look up on the internet what the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) program, founded by Prince Philip, means. The program has 3 levels - bronze, silver and gold. A students reach the gold level after completing the bronze and silver levels, plus students must work for at least a year in volunteering or community service, complete an expedition, a residential project. They must document everything and, of course, fulfill their academic obligations.
The DofE project is widespread all over the world. My students are also involved in this project and it is customary for the medals to be presented to successful graduates by the British ambassador to my country and twice in the personal presence of Prince Edward, with whom I had the honor of being at a ceremonial lunch. He is a very modest and well-informed person and participates in the work of the DofE committee
I would like to remind you that every student - including Lady Louise - must earn the DofE gold medal through long-term work and only after completing all the conditions.
Your suspicion of bias is unfair and disrespectful. Before voicing any suspicions, get your facts straight, which you clearly haven't bothered to do.
Stephanie
The award is earned, not chossen
حذفThe awards are based on accomplishing requirements for each award level. These awards are achievement-based awards at all levels. There is nothing biased in the process and people from all over the UK participate in this program. Please note that while the photos focus on Louise there were 600 total recipients taking part in the ceremony. Janet
حذفMy understanding is the Duke of Edinburgh gold award is given to young people between certain ages (like late teens to early 20s) who have achieved set, objective criteria in community service and various physical fitness activities. I don’t think it’s subjective.
حذف-Royal Watcher
Thank you everyone for clarifying for me that they are not chosen, but have achieved the award.
حذفI think mother and daughter should have changed dresses. CC
ردحذفmy thoughts exactly! Sophie would benefit from Louise's wadrope
حذفAgree !!
حذفBoth dresses would suit both yes! They both look very feminine and pretty. Sophie’s dress reminds me of a favourite movie dress… worn by Julie Andrews in the ball scene in the Sound of Music!
حذفI get your meaning, but I think a young woman does not need those ruffles either. Nobody does.
حذفThought so too. But they look nice anyway.
حذفI wondered if Lady Louise borrowed on of her mother’s dresses. It looks like a style Sophie favors.
حذف-Royal Watcher
Sophie is looking very beautiful.
حذفI have great respect and sympathy for beautiful, clever and diligent Lady Louise. Her dress does not seem to fit her perfectly. I can't put my finger on it, but suspect that the slightly heightened waistline of the dress (s. model) is not where it should be on her. - Sophie's Zimmermann dress could really be nice - without all those dusters everywhere. I looked up the shoes she wore - let's thank our admin that she thought to omit them would elevate the impression. She was right.
ردحذفI don’t understand the reference to the dusters? I see a beautiful Zimmerman with ruffles.
حذفLady Louise lacks chest to fill out the top part of the dress. The dress is designed for those who have more in that compartment. It would better for her mother
حذفSpeaking of nepotism...
ردحذفI hope you do read the comment of well informed Stephanie and other comments.
حذفIt has been clarified that they achieve the award through school,program etc., not awarded
حذف17:57 none here. Do you mean the award Louise and the others who also earned it also received it? Check out the program ; it’s world wide and impressive and fair for a long time.
حذفOthers have explained a lot of this under the first post. I was D of E coordinator for a number of years and believe me, the Gold Award is hard work and an impressive achievement. It’s the 70th year of the programme this year and a tribute to Prince Philip’s intelligence and far sightedness in devising it.
حذف17:57 what an ignorant comment!
حذفVery pretty and summery dresses for Louise and Sophie. I think Louise looks beautiful in this simple dress--its style is very flattering on her. I also very much like Sophie's dress in the picture of her with Louise--it looks lovely. Since none of the photos show the ruffle at the hem--which I don't like--I'll go with what I see. Sophie could easily have had the dress made without the ruffle or the ruffle could be there but I like what I can see at this point.
ردحذفJanet
I'm in the minority I guess, but I think that dress on Louise is too big, to plain, the color washed her out and it makes her look matronly.
ردحذفI agree with those who say mother and daughter should trade dresses. Sophie's dress at least has some interest.
Totally agree with you. I just do not like the style of the dress at all. This is the style of 30s and 40s often made from cheap low quality fabrics. I can't unsee that
حذفAh 3:27 just let young people be. They don’t deserve nor benefit from criticism. Imagine how she’d feel to read she got her own choice wrong, and just hold the criticism. Please.
حذفI am in absolute agreement with you, she is a young woman that should dress young! And it’s a shame she cut off her hair, maybe daughter does as mother does, to the daughter’s detriment. Rem
حذفShe’s a young woman celebrating a graduation and a well deserved award. Her hair looks great as does the dress. Very pretty and summery. Congratulations Louise!
حذفI agree, the pale color and soft fabric is not youthful or modern so it seems fit for someone many decades older than LL.
حذفLouise is looking beautiful and I love her summery hair and pretty dress.
حذفレディ・ルイーズ、受賞おめでとうございます。
ردحذف彼女のドレスの色は、日本では「青磁色」と呼びます。
青磁とは陶磁器の種類です。
青磁色は控えめながら上品で知性を感じる色ですので、日本では着物に良く使う色なのです。
このドレスは襟元を薄い生地で細く縁取ってあり、軽やかで涼し気な印象ですね。
私はとても気に入りました。
Congratulations to Lady Louise. This program was founded by her Grandfather, Prince Phillip 70 years ago, it was a very fine achievement on his part, he was devoted to it all those years, it constantly showed his dedication and passion for the reason behind the scheme.
ردحذفThe Duke now is carrying on his father legacy, which is so important to keep this vital and constant. Lady Louise, has worked hard to achieve her goals, so well done to her.
She has a real sweetness about her, a lovely demeanor and personality, hence the sweetness that emanates from her. I love her subtle pieces of jewellery, earrings, bracelet, necklace and subtle brooch. I'm so glad her partner was there for her at this event, to share in her success and give her moral support. Her parents, looking proud which they should be.
Sophie looks lovely, I like her dress, up to the point of the bottom frill, regardless of that she is looking stunning with her shorter hair, its like she has been transformed, it has had such a impact on her appearance, not that there was anything wrong with er before, she just looks more modern and chic now. I love it!
I like to read your comments Ava, you write so well 🌸
حذفDear Ava, I like how you stress the sweetness of Louise, from the inside and outside, and how her soft dress and discreet jewellery reflect this noble virtue.
حذف🌞 Virginia
Anon 08.55 That is so nice of you, thank you so much.
حذفVirginia 12.46 Its something I noticed Virginia, from back in the day. Her inner self shines through loud and clear in her demeanor, the gentleness of her. She always appears pleasant, composed and so likeable, but these are just my observations! Thank you for your comment. I like reading your thoughts on the blog, always very interesting and well articulated. Take good care.
حذفAnother Zimmermann design that just goes one step too far,in this case the bottom frill. Zimmermann and Natan take a decent design then add extras for interest that just destroy the whole effect - with the odd exception. I have no idea why some seem so devoted to the 2 `houses`.
ردحذفI think it goes too far if you don’t like the bottom frill… whereas I think it completes and balances the dress. But I agree in general Zimmerman is a lot of extra often.
حذفRavissante Lady Louise dans cette robe de couleur estivale ; j'espère la voir plus souvent sur mon écran peut-être en compagnie de son amoureux !
ردحذفAchard62
To think that this lovely young lady had quite the dramatic entrance into the world.To see her today, a graduate and a DoE gold participant. I’m sure her parents are proud as punch,and rightly so.
ردحذفFashion wise. I’m not a fan of Zimmerman dress. The ruffle at the bottom spoils it.
Hobbs dress is demure and perfect for Louise.
I think she’ll be the one to watch going forward. I doubt she’ll be a full time working royal, but I see her as a representative in the future.
Lowri.
Hot weather = shorter hair.
ردحذفLeave the young people alone. They are still finding their feet in the world of fashion. the younger members of the royal families around the world seem to have all graduated. Now let them let them have a great /fun time before being crititised.
Hear hear 22:07.
حذفWhen people criticise here I think they forget they are criticising humans with feelings who can read. It’s a stupid part of modern life to believe that just because you criticise anonymously in writing, you’re justified in doing it.
@ Anonymous 22:07
حذفThere are still a lot of young royals in Europe who have not finished their studies yet. Others must still begin their university studies. Princess Ingrid-Alexandra of Norway has not finished her university studies at the University of Sydney, Australia; CP Leonor of Spain has finished the complete military education but will begin in sept.-oct. with her university studies; Infanta Sofia of Spain has not finished her university studies yet: Princess Alexia of the Netherlands has not finished her studies at London university yet, Princess Ariane of the Netherlands must still start university studies, Princess Eléonore of Belgium will probably start higher education in Belgium or abroad in sept.-oct.; the princes and princesses of Denmark have not finished higher education yet. Maybe I forgot a prince or princess and the other younger princes and princesses in Europe are still in primary school or secondary school. There are still a lot of young royals whose youth just started and need plenty of time to develop themselves.
I think Louise looks lovely. She has a soft countenance which I believe she takes from Sophie. No doubt she deserved the award and there is no bias whatsoever.
ردحذفTo my eye, a cheap(-ish) high street dress like Louise’s looks much better than the overly busy designer Zimmerman dress (over 10 times the price!).
I love louise's dress Hobbs clothes is very fashionable for a young lady. Sophie's hair is super
ردحذفSomeone could talk to her about fashion and hairstyles, but as long as she's happy that's what's most important.
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