Prince Edward given cupcake decorating masterclass in Musselburgh

The Duke of Edinburgh enjoyed a tour of Fisherrow Community Centre and was impressed by various stories of challenges taken on, also receiving a live demonstration of some new skills.

Dedicated teenagers and young adults from Teens+ welcomed the Duke to their regular Tuesday cooking session, held as part of the charity's efforts to develop skills for independent living and work to those with additional support needs.

Arriving to much excitement, people gathered outside the centre in the heart of Musselburgh to greet the special guest, waving flags and applauding when the vehicle pulled up behind a police escort.

The Duke arrives at the Teens+ centre at Fisherrow Community Centre. (Image: Alastair Wilson, DofE)

Members of Teens+ have been working towards their Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE), during which people aged 14 to 24 choose activities in four sections: improving a physical and skills activity, volunteering for a cause of their choice, and completing a demanding expedition, working through bronze, silver and gold levels.

The Duke spoke to all of the attendees and heard their stories about how much the DofE and Next Steps, an extension of Teens+, has increased their independence and provided them with a network of friends, before he was given a tour inside and also got stuck in himself.

The Duke spoke to the young people about the various skills they had developed and challenges undertaken during their time working towards their various award levels, including completing a hike up Arthur’s Seat, perfecting their game at bocce – a sport similar to bowls – and testing their patience with creating diamond art, which he was given a special demonstration of by Rebecca.

Rebecca, a DofE participant, shows The Duke some diamond art (Image: Alastair Wilson, DofE)

Participant Jamie told him about the films he had been making, depicting his friends as cartoon characters.

The Duke then helped the young people to decorate cupcakes they had made themselves, complete with toppers to celebrate 70 years of the award. 

The anniversary was also recognised when the Duke was presented with a card designed by one of the young people and a commemorative fleece.

Carina Hodgson completed her bronze DofE while at school, then picked up the challenge again at Teens+ and is now close to completing her gold award.

DofE participant Carina present a fleece to The Duke in honour of the charity's 70th anniversary. (Image: Alastair Wilson, DofE)

A talented cook, she has honed her skills in the kitchen during her time pursuing the three award levels and in particular has demonstrated impressive knife skills.

She was trusted with the task of teaching Prince Edward how to ice his cupcake and was complimentary of his skills, describing his decorating as “very neat!”

The Duke practises decorating. (Image: Alastair Wilson, DofE)

Throughout the World Cup, Carina’s support worker has challenged her to make a dish from a different country each week, chosen at random through a lucky dip; last week was Spain and she cooked a paella.

For her physical section, she has been enjoying kickboxing and also volunteers at Musselburgh Community Pantry.

The only challenge remaining before she completes the gold award is her expedition in September – a daunting challenge for anybody, but one she is more than ready to take on.

She said: “If I could do the Silver [award] and walk for three days, I can walk for an extra day.

“Three nights in a tent, I can do that too.”

Carina is hoping for better weather than during her last expedition, when it rained for the majority of the walk, and she was both “proud and relieved at the same time” to finish, despite struggling with blisters.

She added: “I never thought I’d complete it, to be honest.

“It has always been a goal of mine.”

During the visit, the Duke made a special certificate presentation to Caitlin Nightingale, manager at Next Steps, who was instrumental in facilitating the delivery of DofE to the participants attending the visit.

The Duke presents a Social Value Certificate to Caitlin Nightingale in recognition of participants' volunteering. (Image: Alastair Wilson, DofE)

In the last year, between April 2025 and March 2026, DofE participants at Teens+ gave 650 hours of volunteering to their community, worth nearly £5,000 in paid working hours.  

Simon Pearce-Madge, head of service and founder of Next Steps, said: “Our trainees are really enjoying taking part in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and were very excited to meet His Royal Highness today.

“We have witnessed some incredible achievements that will have a lifelong impact on the people who access our services.”