Prince Edward hosts the awards ceremony for the Duke of Edinburgh at the Police Citizens Youth Center in Australia

Prince Edward has been busy in Australia as part of his work with the Duke of Edinburgh’s awards programme.

King Charles’ youngest sibling – who was named the Duke of Edinburgh after the death of their father Prince Philip – hosted the ceremony at the Police Citizens Youth Club in the nation’s capital.

The PCYC, located in the Sydney suburb of Woolloomooloo, partnered with the Duke of Edinburgh Award to host the event’s guests and organizers.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award aims to help young people, but also aims to connect them with opportunities that have a positive impact on the issues they care about.

The Prince’s three-day visit got off to a lively start as he greeted the various young people and guests present at the event, while also honoring the winners of the award.

The dutiful monarch addressed the guests with a speech, which he delivered on behalf of the international award ceremony.

As part of the presentation, he presented Jessica Clark with a Gold Award as the pair chatted and shook hands.

The royal family continued their way around the grounds, making sure to spend time with everyone in attendance at the special event.

Among the many guests was 27-year-old Marusha Rowe, winner of the 2022 Duke of Edinburgh Award gold medal, who stopped to greet the prince.

And the start of his more playful duties was a light-hearted sparring session with 21-year-old Marlon Sevehon of the PCYC youth boxing program.

The Duke was also pictured happily holding a large punching bag for Marlon as he practiced his boxing skills as the two got to know each other.

Elsewhere, from a boxing ring, he appeared engrossed in friendly conversation with other boxers and program representatives.

Meanwhile, he earlier greeted esteemed guest Cameron Smart, the acting national chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, before finally leaving for the day.

Prince Edward was spotted entering the country yesterday after catching a commercial flight from New Zealand.

He arrived as part of his official three-day working visit to Australia, where he received the Duke of Edinburgh Award, among other awards.

He officially took over honors duties in 2023, two years after the death of the former Duke of Edinburgh’s late father Prince Philip.

Prince Edward himself is a passionate patron of the award, having achieved his own Gold Award in 1986.

Peter Kaye, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, said: ‘This visit is part of an important chapter for The Duke of Ed in Australia as we celebrate a recent record in the number of young people using the framework.

“While The Duke of Ed has been active in Australia for more than 60 years, our growing number of participants indicates that this framework is now more relevant than ever among young Australians looking to build essential life skills, access higher education and find employment.

‘We know the classroom isn’t the only place for learning, which is why the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is designed to help all young Australians realize their passions and develop important life skills such as building resilience, self-confidence, perseverance and; pushing themselves out of their comfort zone,” Mr Kaye said.

“The reward framework plays an important role in helping young people find their purpose, passion and place in the world and become world-ready.”