The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Warm welcome to new Earl of Forfar
Title is Queen’s 55th birthday present to Prince Edward
Angus is preparing for a royal party this summer to celebrate the resurrection of a title last used more than 300 years ago.
The Queen marked Prince Edward’s 55th birthday yesterday by granting him the title Earl of Forfar.
The Earl of Wessex and his wife Sophie will be known as the Earl and Countess of Forfar when north of the border. The Earldom of Forfar was created in 1661 and became extinct in 1715 when the second earl died leaving no children.
Welcoming the news Mrs Georgiana Osborne, Lord Lieutenant of Angus, said: “I am absolutely delighted the Queen has bestowed this very old Scottish title on Prince Edward on his birthday.
“I really look forward to welcoming the earl and countess who are coming to Forfar this summer.”
Angus Provost Ronnie Proctor said: “It’s absolutely brilliant for the area, great for Forfar and for the county of Angus, which was formerly Forfarshire.”
The Earldom of Forfar was created in 1661 and became extinct as a title in 1715 when the second earl died leaving no children.
Archibald Douglas, the first Earl of Forfar, was a Scottish peer.
He was the second son and youngest child of Archibald Douglas, Earl of Angus and 1st Earl of Ormond, by his second wife, Jean Wemyss.
The second Earl of Forfar was also called Archibald Douglas, the only son of the first earl.
He died on December 8 1715 at the Battle of Sheriffmuir aged 23.
Prince Edward is patron of a number of Scottish charities such as The Edinburgh International Festival, the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland and Badminton Scotland.
As trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh Award, he has supported the non-formal education of thousands of young people in Scotland and holds annual gold award presentations at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
In 2014 the earl was Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Queen’s personal representative to the assembly.
The title of Earl of Forfar bestowed upon Prince Edward strengthens the royal family’s links with the area.
His grandmother, the Queen Mother, spent her childhood years at Glamis Castle, the ancestral home of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne.
The castle was also the birthplace of Princess Margaret.
The royal family have also enjoyed private visits to Cortachy Castle, home of the Earl and Countess of Airlie, which sits at the foot of the Angus glens.
Edward is the youngest of the Queen and Prince Philip’s four children and their third son.