The Duke of Edinburgh arrived yesterday for a worldwind visit to Bermuda.

And the Island's youth proved to be the focus of Prince Philip's attention during his East End tour which included stops to the Co-Ed Facility and Paget Island.

His Royal Highness arrived in Bermuda shortly after 1.30 p.m. for the last stop on his tour of the West Indies.

Governor Thorold Masefield, local Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme chairman Lawrence Trimingham and Herman Tucker of Civil Aviation greeted the Queen's husband upon disembarking from a chartered jet.

And about a dozen curious onlookers gathered by the Airport's fence to catch a glimpse of the Duke of Edinburgh.

With a Police escort, Prince Philip was whisked to the Co-Ed Facility in St.

George's to meet some of the inmates participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

Inside Prince Philip spent more than a half-an-hour chatting with the inmates and inspecting some of their handiwork.

Acting Chief Prison Officer Ronnie Harrell told The Royal Gazette that five inmates were currently involved in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.

And he said that the Prince's visit was a special moment for the participants.

"They were excited about this,'' Prison Officer Harrell said. "This will keep them motivated. It is a good programme.'' And the Duke of Edinburgh, looking dapper in a brown suit, left the Co-Ed Facility with a souvenir -- a Bermuda kite emblazoned with the pattern of the British flag lovingly made by the inmates.

The Prince and his entourage, which included the Premier Pamela Gordon and Health and Safety Minister Quinton Edness, then boarded the Police boat Blue Heron to cruise to Paget Island.

Acting Police Commissioner Jacques Lemay greeting the Prince and led him on a tour of the island which is home to the Outward Bound Programme.

More than 20 students demonstrated their canoeing, 25-foot high cat walking and zip wiring -- a 150 metre wire slide -- skills.

Fourteen-year-old Donyelle Burchall said she was very excited to meet Prince Philip describing him as warm and friendly.

"He's different from what I thought he would be,'' she said. "He was very nice and really friendly.'' Khari Thornhill, 16, said he spoke at length to Prince Philip about his experience participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

"It was interesting, he asked a lot of nice questions.'' After enjoying refreshments with the Trustees of the Outward Bound Programme, Prince Philip was presented with a plaque to remind him of his jaunt to Paget Island.

He thanked them for their generous jester and commended them on their programme noting, "it's obviously going strong''.

Youth top the Prince's agenda Bermudians with their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards at Government House.

After a personal chat and awarding each recipient with their certificate, the he declared the group "quite a good crop''. Prince Philip also paid tribute to the unsung heroes of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme -- the parents and volunteers. His Royal Highness said that without the support of parents and adult volunteer, none of the recipients would be receiving certificates.

And he thanked all those who made financial contributions to the scheme. This morning Prince Philip will pay an hour-long visit to the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute to meet participants in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme who were undertaking projects at the facility.

A Government spokesman said the 10 a.m. visit was the best opportunity to catch a glimpse of His Royal Highness before he heads to the Airport to board his plane for New York.

Photos by David Skinner ROYAL CHAT -- Prince Philip talks to some of the youngsters of Outward Bound during his trip to Paget Island yesterday.

HIGH WIRE ACT -- Premier Pamela Gordon and Prince Philip watch as an Outward Bound youngster crosses a log suspended 25 feet above the ground during trip to Paget Island yesterday.