THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES THE EARL AND COUNTESS OF FORFAR WILL VISIT FORFAR, BANFFSHIRE AND MORAY
Monday 1st – Tuesday 2nd July 2019
The Earl and Countess of Forfar will visit Forfar, Banffshire and Moray on Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd July 2019. Their Royal Highnesses will visit a range of charities, businesses and organisations over the two-day visit, highlighting the initiatives, support and opportunities on offer for local people, and showcasing the history and traditions of the area.
Monday 1st July, Forfar
On Monday 1st July, Their Royal Highnesses will visit Forfar on their first official visit to the town since The Queen granted The Earl of Wessex the additional title of The Earl of Forfar earlier this year. The Earl and Countess will meet local residents, and visit businesses and landmarks in the town – including Saddlers, makers of the famous Forfar Bridie.
Their Royal Highnesses will also visit Pitstop, the local youth centre, to see the positive impact of The Duke of Edinburgh Award schemes in Angus, and Strathmore Rugby Community Club Trust, a charity initiative formed in 2017 to increase participation in rugby for less able-bodied young people and children with autism.
As their last engagement of the day, Their Royal Highnesses will visit the local Guide Dogs for the Blind Association where they will see a demonstration of guide dogs in training, and meet with volunteers and service users.
Monday 2nd July, Banffshire and Moray
The Earl and Countess will visit Glenfiddich Whisky Distillery to mark the 50th anniversary of the visitors centre, and meet volunteers running the heritage railway service between Keith and Dufftown before departing for their next engagement by train.
At the Keith Kilt School and Textile Centre, the original kilt school of Scotland, The Earl and Countess will meet with current students and have the opportunity to get involved in the kilt-making process.
Finally, The Earl and Countess will visit Step by Step in Elgin, Moray, a local charity that supports vulnerable or isolated families by offering free hands-on activity groups for parents and children. Their Royal Highnesses will meet volunteers and families at the service and join in with the activities.
On 10th March this year, Her Majesty The Queen granted The Earl of Wessex the additional title of Earl of Forfar.
The Earldom of Forfar was created in 1661 and became extinct as a title in 1715. It was a subsidiary title to the Earl of Ormond and was a title held by the Douglas Family.
The 1st Earl of Forfar (1653 to 1712) was Archibald Douglas. His son, also Archibald Douglas, became the 2nd Earl of Forfar (1692 to 1715). The 2nd Earl took the title at the age of 20 and died without issue leaving the Earldom, part of the Peerage of Scotland, extinct.
The Earl of Forfar is Patron of a number of Scottish charitable organisations, such as The Edinburgh International Festival, the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland and Badminton Scotland. As Trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, HRH has supported the non-formal education of thousands of young people in Scotland and holds annual Gold Award presentations at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
