Courier Peter Fenn was running a special errand today - to Buckingham Palace.

The 24-year-old was meeting the Queen as she presented a Royal Charter to the Prince's Trust.

The presentation to the Prince of Wales, who set up the Trust in 1976, will be shown live on BBC and Sky News tonight and will also be broadcast on Radio 5.

Mr Fenn is among 100 guests at the palace whose lives have been changed by the trust, which helps young people set up in business. The Royal Charter is being awarded in recognition of the work the trust has done over the past 23 years and guests include Prime Minister Tony Blair, Tory leader William Hague and Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy.

Mr Fenn, of Ardley, near Bicester, set up his business, Around The Clock Couriers, last year with a £3,000 Prince's Trust loan.

He said: "I wanted to go to Buckingham Palace to show them what they've done for me. They really deserve the Royal Charter."

Before starting his business, Mr Fenn was unemployed. "I knew I could run my own business but I didn't believe it would happen. I am enjoying it so much, especially dealing with my customers," he said.

"It can be a hectic job. I've got to be prepared to take a call and be on the road within ten minutes. But I really enjoy it."

The trust hopes to help another 30,000 people start their own businesses in the next five years.

Trust chief executive Tom Shebbeare said it would be difficult for the Prince to remain president of the trust when he becomes King, although it was unlikely the charity would change its name. "It does not mean that it is something his son will automatically inherit," he said. "The Prince was not told to do it and he does not want his sons to feel they have to do it."

Footballer Ian Wright and singer Joan Armatrading were also at the reception as supporters of the trust.

It will be co-hosted by David Akinsanya, who has spent time in prison but became a BBC producer after being helped by the trust to buy a typewriter and a filing cabinet.

Story date: Monday 01 November

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