Duke of Edinburgh Personally Congratulates Isabel Murphy

St. Benedict's student wins Gold Award while battling cancer

Isabel with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at DofE Gold Award Celebrations 2026. Picture: Ian Smithers, DofE

June 10, 2026

A Sixth Form student from St Benedict’s School in Ealing has been personally congratulated by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh after completing her Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award while undergoing treatment for a rare and aggressive cancer.

Seventeen-year-old Isabel Murphy was among thousands of young people invited to Buckingham Palace on 20 May for a festival-style celebration recognising this year’s Gold Award holders. Isabel was one of only a small number of participants chosen for a one-to-one conversation with The Duke, who is Patron of the DofE charity.

Diagnosed at the age of nine with metastatic paraganglioma of the bones, Isabel has undergone major surgery and multiple rounds of treatment. The cancer returned when she was 14 and last year she was told it was Stage 4 and terminal. Despite this, she completed her Gold Award shortly after finishing six weeks of daily spinal radiotherapy.

Speaking to The Duke during the event, Isabel described the determination that carried her through her expedition across the Yorkshire Moors. “My expedition was tough, but I had a very supportive team with me,” she said. “They learned First Aid just in case I needed help, which I am phenomenally grateful for. But, in return, I had to hear the boys sing Michael Jackson’s *Smooth Criminal* for several hours and numerous miles… for a total of three days!” The Duke laughed and replied: “Well, that’s a real test of your endurance.”

Isabel later told her school community that the experience of completing the award had been deeply personal. “The hikes were long, averaging over 20km each day, but I was determined to do it,” she said. “On occasions, the boys would know when I’d had enough – I was very well looked after by them. The support from our unfailing adult volunteers in the background was also amazing.”

Linda Brown, DofE Programme Manager at St Benedict’s, said Isabel’s achievement was unlike anything she had seen in four decades as a leader. “I don’t think I have ever come across such an amazingly determined young person,” she said. “It has been an absolute pleasure to support Isabel to overcome every obstacle in her path.”

Headmaster Joe Smith said the whole school was “immensely proud” of her. “Completing a Gold Award is an extraordinary accomplishment in its own right, but what makes Isabel’s journey particularly inspiring is the courage, determination and positivity she has shown throughout,” he said. “Her strength of character has been an inspiration to students and staff alike.”

This year’s Buckingham Palace celebrations marked the DofE charity’s 70th anniversary, with more than 9,000 young people recognised over two days. The organisation says more than 345,000 young people in the UK started a DofE Award last year – the highest number in its history – contributing over six million hours of volunteering.

Ruth Marvel OBE, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said the celebrations highlighted the resilience and creativity shown by young people across the country. “As young people navigate an uncertain time, we will continue to champion opportunities that build confidence, resilience and human skills for all young people,” she said.