STUDENTS got royal approval during a visit to Buckingham Palace to receive certificates.

More than 60 young people from The Gryphon School in Sherborne visited the palace to collect their Gold Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Awards – and even got to meet the man himself.

To achieve the Gold Award, students must complete a number of sections over 12 to 18 months including physical, skills, volunteering, an expedition and a residential trip.

The Gryphon School has operated a DofE programme for many years, with a large number of students completing their Bronze, Silver and Gold awards each year.

This year, 67 students went to Buckingham Palace to collect their Gold award, the highest number for a school in the Dorset Council region.

Alice Main, who collected her award this month, said: “I was given the great privilege of visiting Buckingham Palace Gardens to collect my Gold Duke of Edinburgh award.

“It was a wonderful day, spent exploring the grounds, listening to inspirational speakers, meeting the Duke of Edinburgh himself and of course indulging in tea and cake.

“Thank you to all the amazing volunteers who give up so many weekends of their year, to help out on expeditions and create a fun and friendly experience for so many people.

Gryphon School pupil Alice Main, right, at Buckingham Palace

“I will never be able to express how much DofE has changed who I am today and the special place that it has in my heart. I feel beyond privileged to have been a part of this award and to have had the chance to go to Buckingham Palace.”

Geoff Cooke, DofE programme leader at The Gryphon School, said: “We are proud of all our students who take up DofE challenge.

“The leaders take great pride in seeing our Gold students at Buckingham Palace after they have worked with them for four to five years so that they can achieve this. The Gold award is an incredible achievement so congratulations to all of them.”