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The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visit the headquarters of The Prince's Trust
12th November 2008
The Queen said today that she was "enormously proud" of her son's contribution to the charity he set up more than 30 years ago, The Prince's Trust.
Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh were meeting staff volunteers and the young people the Trust helps at its headquarters near Regents Park, Central London.
In a speech The Queen said: "As we celebrate the many extraordinary achievements of the Prince's Trust today, so too I should like briefly to reflect on the role of The Prince of Wales, who has given enduring inspiration to it.
"In public life, highlighting the success of individuals can be a hazardous and invidious occupation.
”But as The Prince of Wales, our son, approaches his own 60th birthday, may I say that we are both enormously proud to have been reminded here today of his personal contribution to this remarkable organisation.
"Countless lives have been transformed by The Prince's Trust to which The Prince of Wales has brought vision and conviction.
"For Prince Philip and me there can be no greater pleasure or comfort than to know that into his care are safely entrusted the guiding principles of public service and duty to others."
The Prince celebrates his 60th birthday on Friday and a fundraising comedy gala performance is planned tonight, in aid of the trust, to mark the milestone.
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh had earlier met a number of young people whose lives have been transformed with the aid of The Prince's Trust.
Ricky McCalla told the pair about the music studio he set up to help get young people off the streets.
The Queen looked shocked as he explained that his successful dancing career had been cut short in 2005 when he was shot in the neck during a car-jacking.
He explained how he decided to try and divert young people from crime by encouraging them to create music. With the help of The Prince's Trust he set up Frosted Ice Inc and the Ice Box studio in Crystal Palace.
Her Majesty replied: "I should think that music is a very good way of getting through to people. It's just wonderful, it is a great thing that you can help others."
She discussed with Mr McCalla the problem of gun and knife crime and commented: "That seems to be one of the big problems at the moment."
The Queen also met Gina Moffatt who set up a floristry business whilst still serving a prison sentence. She presented The Queen with a large bouquet.
The Prince's Trust is the first charity established by The Prince. His Royal Highness set up the charity in 1976 with the £7,400 in severance pay he received when he left the Royal Navy.
He was inspired to act out of his concern that too many young people were being excluded from society through lack of opportunity.
When it began, 21 pilot projects were set up around the country and grants were given to a 19-year-old woman to run a social centre for the Haggerston housing estate in east London and to two ex-offenders to run a fishing club.
Funds were used to hire swimming pools in Cornwall to train young lifeguards and for a self-help bicycle repair scheme.
Now the charity has an annual turnover of more than £50 million and almost 8,000 volunteers and staff.
It has helped more than half a million young people - and it continues to support 100 more every day.