Annual review 2006 - The Prince of Wales

RAISING ISSUES
The Prince spoke of
police offi cers’ “abiding
sense of duty to others,
to look after them,
to help them and to
maintain society and
the freedoms and liberties
to which we have
grown accustomed.”
During the past year, The Prince of Wales, with the support
of The Duchess of Cornwall, has once again sought to
promote and protect what is best about Britain and its
people. This will often involve The Prince acting personally
as a catalyst to facilitate change, to generate debate,
or to raise overlooked issues.
Achievement and service
Their Royal Highnesses regularly participate in events to highlight
achievements and contributions to national life, and during the year
The Prince and The Duchess attended several engagements which
recognised the work of the emergency services.
In June 2005, they paid tribute to the sacrifi ces of policemen and women
as they attended the annual service in Hendon to remember the 653
Metropolitan Police offi cers who have died in the line of duty in London
since 1829. After the service, The Prince spoke of police offi cers’
“abiding sense of duty to others, to look after them, to help them and
to maintain society and the freedoms and liberties to which we have
grown accustomed.”
In March 2006, Their Royal Highnesses visited Dorset Police to mark its
150th anniversary. During their visit, The Prince and The Duchess were
shown around the police control room which receives 94,000 emergency
calls a year, and the special casualty bureau. The Prince said to the
policemen and women he had met: “We depend on so many of you. I often
think we take so easily for granted the amazing service you all perform.”
Their Royal Highnesses also participate in engagements that celebrate
the work of volunteers, especially those who work in areas that often get
little recognition. In November 2005, The Duchess spent a day in Wiltshire
visiting three volunteer groups: the Springboard Opportunity Playgroup, a
charity that provides a safe and stimulating environment for special needs
children; the Bobby Van Trust, a charity which sends out vans to crime
victims’ homes to repair doors and windows and generally help restore a
sense of security; and a youth club in Atworth run by Youth Action Wiltshire
(YAW), a charity which provides sporting and creative activities and social
inclusion projects for young people. The Duchess is patron of both the
Bobby Van Trust and YAW.
38 | ANNUAL REVIEW 2006