St. Julian's School, the oldest British international school in Greater Lisbon, welcomed His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to its campus in Carcavelos yesterday morning, during his official visit to Portugal.

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The visit continues a connection that spans two generations of the royal family. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited St. Julian's in 1985. Prince Philip founded The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award in 1956, and St. Julian's is the longest-running participant in Portugal, where the Award now runs in around 50 schools and universities.

Community partnership was the central theme of the day. The Duke met a group of Year 9 /8º ano students who volunteer with Cercica, a local charity supporting adults with intellectual disabilities, one of several community projects the school runs for its secondary students. He watched a sports demonstration by Portuguese Paralympic athletes, including judo and boccia, with younger pupils taking part. He also watched a training session of the St. Julian's Rugby Club, which draws 80% of its players from young people in the surrounding community.

The visit took place on the 73rd anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, on 2 June 1953.

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Speaking after the visit, Paul Morgan, Head of School, said: "It was a real honour to welcome His Royal Highness to St. Julian's. To see The Duke talk so warmly with the children and young people taking part in the Award meant a great deal for us. The farewell from our pupils was the perfect way to end the morning."