Prince Philip defends scheme's values

The Prince told businessmen 'some things never change'

The Duke of Edinburgh has visited Cardiff to meet young people from all walks of life taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme .

He also spent time at Cardiff Prison where the scheme is in its infancy.

The ancient Greeks had to grow up and so did the Romans and whoever lived in the hills here

Duke of Edinburgh

Earlier, Prince Philip had told business leaders that the values of the award scheme were fundamental to young people's development and would not simply change with the latest fashions.

When asked why the values of the scheme had not altered since its inception in 1956, he explained that it was simply because people had not changed.

"Human existence is much the same as it has been," he said.

"The ancient Greeks had to grow up and so did the Romans and whoever lived in the hills here.

"The process of growing up is the same. All that's different is the circumstances in which you do it.

Prince Philip visited inmates at Cardiff prison

"Everyone has to go through the learning process."

He went on to say that young people should not simply view the scheme as something to put on their CV when applying for a job.

"You don't want to present the award scheme as a means of getting jobs, as a qualification," he said.

"It should be done for its own sake, not as a means of getting a job."

The Prince later handed over the keys of a new Mazda car to 24-year-old Emma Pike, from Roath, Cardiff, after she won the car in a raffle to raise funds for the award scheme.

Before attending a lunch, he met with young people taking part in the scheme at the Butetown Youth Pavilion in Cardiff Bay and presented bronze awards.