The Princess Royal celebrates 30 years of St John Ambulance Cadets

Jay Fox, St John Ambulance Cadet of the Year 2016, was introduced to The Princess. At 14, he is the youngest ever to hold this title.

Jay is currently a Cadet in the South Western Region of St John Ambulance and completed a number of first aid and grand prior subjects which assisted him in gaining the role as the National Cadet of the Year.

The Princess also met National Cadet of the Year (2000), Ashley Sweetland, and other nominees for the title.

The Cadet of the Year competition runs over two days and tests cadets on first aid, communication, team work, presentation and working with the media.

St John Ambulance has over 26,000 youth volunteers in the country aged between 10 and 17. Cadets are taught first aid, leadership and public speaking skills, which they can apply by volunteering in their local community.

The Royal Family have a close relationship with St John Ambulance. In 1888 Queen Victoria granted the Order of St John a Royal Charter, and the Reigning Monarch has been the Sovereign Head of the Order ever since.

The Queen is Patron, The Princess Royal is Commandant-in-Chief (Youth), The Countess of Wessex is Grand President and the Duchess of Gloucester is Commandant-in-Chief of St John Cymru Wales.