Prince Edward admits he was a trouble-maker at school

Oct 21, 2005, 16:03 GMT

Britain's Prince Edward admits he was a trouble-maker at school.

The royal, who is currently involved in celebrations marking the 50-year anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, says he used to constantly annoy his teachers.

He said: "I was a trouble-maker. There was this mountain and we kept on having to walk up it and down it and I asked if it would be a good idea to walk round it for a change."

The school suggested the prince find a way round the mountain to obtain the Duke of Edinburgh award which he had never heard of - despite the fact the award is named after his father.

The award is a certificate of personal achievement that can be obtained by anyone aged from 14 to 25.

More than five million young people in have participated in the scheme worldwide since its launch in 1956.

Edward is now chairman of the international committee for the award, as well as a trustee of the board, and he has revealed he has been working furiously to improve the already impressive reputation of the award and broaden its' reach.

He told Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper: "The real challenge came when we decided to tackle some really difficult areas, really challenging areas. "We went into the Drumchapel estate in Glasgow, and after going in there and surviving, we decided to go into Belfast and worked across the community."

Copyright 2005 BANG Media International