Sophie and Prince Edward caught up with Scottish frontline services, volunteers and businesses on the week Scotland celebrates Burns Night. The Countess and Earl reached out to various organisations including Police Scotland, Angus Council and Voluntary Action Angus.
Sophie and Edward, who spoke from their home in Surrey, also got in touch with staff at NHS Tayside, the same trust which received Burns Night suppers as part of a donation by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge earlier this week.
This series of virtual engagements is particularly poignant to the Wessexes, who almost two years ago received the new honorary titles of Countess and Earl of Forfar – linked to a town in the Angus council.
During their video chats, Wessexes heard from NHS Tayside, Police Scotland and Angus Council what the frontline response to the pandemic continues to be and which new challenges they have faced during the winter, when coronavirus cases skyrocketed across the UK.
Voluntary Action Angus, on the other hand, described to the royal couple the work volunteers continue to do to support people struggling during the pandemic.
The organisation offers, among other services, food banks and prescription pickups.
Sophie and Edward were also delighted to be reunited with the Saddler Family, of Saddler’s Bakery in Forfar, to discuss how the business has adapted to operate within COVID-19 restrictions.
The Wessexes met them during their first official tour to Forfar in July 2019, four months after they were appointed by the Queen Countess and Earl of Forfar.
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During this visit, the Saddlers let Sophie and Prince Edward sample the Forfar Bridie – a special bake the family has been selling since 1897.
Finally, the Wessexes called the training centre for guide dogs in Forfar and thanks to the video chat they had the chance to meet trainee dog Perry and watch another dog, Bliss, looking curiously at a laptop.
The Queen granted Prince Edward the title of Earl of Forfar on his 55th birthday.
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Prince Edward is linked to several patronages and organisations based in Scotland, including the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland and Badminton Scotland.
He is also the royal patron of the worldwide famous Edinburgh International Festival, normally taking place every summer.
The Earldom of Forfar was created in 1661 after Archibald Douglas was appointed with his honour.
In 1712, the title was passed on to his son, also named Archibald Douglas, who died without an heir only three years later.
This earldom remained vacant until the Queen bestowed this title upon the Earl of Wessex.
Sophie and Edward aren’t the only royals with a title linked to Scotland.
Prince Charles acquired the title of Duke of Rothesay in 1952, upon the death of King George VI and the ascension to the throne of the Queen.
This title is given to the heir apparent to the throne of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
This honour used to be the title of the heir apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of Scotland before 1707 and of the Kingdom of Great Britain from 1707 to 1801.
Prince William and Kate became the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge upon getting married in April 2011.
But the Duke also received the titles of Earl of Strathearn, a Scottish title referring to the region of Strathearn in southern Perthshire.
And, on the same day, he was created Baron Carrickfergus, referring to Carrickfergus in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
— to www.express.co.uk
