Duke of Kent and Prince William to open the Jamboree

The Duke of Kent and Prince William will take part in the opening ceremony of the 21st World Scout Jamboree at Hylands Park in Essex on Saturday 28 July 2007.

40,000 Scouts from over 160 countries around the world will attend the ceremony, which will officially start 12 days of celebrating 100 years since the Scouting was founded.

The Duke of Kent, who is President of The Scout Association, and Prince William will be taken on a tour of the site by Scouts attending the Jamboree, observing first hand how Scouting has evolved into the modern organisation it is today.

They will see how Scouting creates a better world through providing challenge and adventure to both young people and adult volunteers.

Katie Carter, 16, an Explorer Scout from Essex said. 'I will be only a few miles from home but it will be a fantastic global adventure for me. It really means a lot to Scouting across the world that Prince William and the Duke of Kent are coming to visit us and kick off what will be an amazing 12 days.'