ITV Doc to Celebrate 60th Anniversary of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

LONDON: ITV has ordered the Phillip Schofield-hosted documentary When Phillip Met Prince Philip: 60 Years of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (working title), celebrating the 60th anniversary of the prestigious honor.

The documentary will broadcast on ITV later this year. Schofield will speak to The Duke of Edinburgh as he reflects on the achievement award he set up in 1956 that is designed to encourage personal discovery and self-reliance. The documentary will explore the work of the charity through exclusive access to celebratory events.

Schofield will also speak to members of the royal family, including The Earl and Countess of Wessex, about their involvement with the charity. Schofield will reflect on the history of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Filming has begun and the production team is working closely with Buckingham Palace and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Schofield said: “I am hugely excited to be working with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as it celebrates its 60th anniversary. It’s a unique opportunity to meet Prince Philip, the charity’s founder, and to see firsthand the amazing work that the DofE does with young people all over the world.”

Peter Westgarth, the chief executive of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, remarked, “This is a momentous year for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Charity as we celebrate our Diamond Anniversary; 60 years of transforming the life and work prospects of millions of young people, from all backgrounds and circumstances, in the U.K. and worldwide.

“The documentary is a fantastic opportunity for us to reflect on these past successes but also to showcase the positive impact of the DofE on today’s generation and the potential for generations to come, helping young people to be happy, healthy, socially conscious and more employable.

“We’re excited to be able to capture such a pivotal year, give a unique insight into the DofE in 2016 and thank our founder, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, for setting up what has become the world’s leading achievement award for young people.”

The documentary is commissioned for ITV by Priya Singh, the commissioning editor for factual, and Sue Murphy, the head of factual entertainment. Murphy commented: “We’re very proud of our programs about the royal family here at ITV and I’m delighted that The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has agreed to make this landmark documentary with Phillip Schofield.”

The documentary will be produced by Spun Gold TV. The company’s credits include ITV programs such as When Ant and Dec Met The Prince: 40 Years of the Prince’s Trust, Love Your Garden and Prince William’s Passion: New Father, New Hope.

Dani Neumann, the creative director at Spun Gold TV, added: “We are very proud to be making this documentary celebrating a wonderful achievement award that has helped shape and enhance the lives of many young people across the globe. Phillip Schofield has the warmth, energy and insight to bring this film to life.”