Date confirmed for prince's freedom honour

Published: 23 July, 2008

Prince Charles

PRINCE Charles is to receive the Freedom of Caithness in Wick early next month, it has been confirmed. He will be granted the honour by the Highland Council at a ceremony in the Assembly Rooms on Monday, August 4, at the start of what will be a busy day for him.

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The local authority decided to honour His Royal Highness in 2008 – the year of his 60th birthday – to mark his strong links with the county. The day of the ceremony coincides with the date of birth of the late Queen Mother.

A spokesman for the Highland Council said this week: "Since the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, the prince has maintained a strong connection with her former private residence at the Castle of Mey, continuing her tradition of spending time in the summer there and engaging with various aspects of local community life.

In addition, through his North Highland Initiative, His Royal Highness continues to be actively involved in promoting Caithness and the North Highlands area at a national level."

The Queen Mother was granted the Freedom of Wick in 1956 and the Freedom of Caithness in 1990.

Prince Charles – officially known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland – will receive the honour during two days of engagements in the county which will also see him visit the Mey Selections offices on August 4 and attend a Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama masterclass and launch North Highland Connections at the Mill Theatre in Thurso.

In addition, he will view the Society of Caithness Artists' annual summer exhibition at Thurso High School and host a reception at the Castle of Mey for the University of the Highlands and Islands Centre for History.

The previous day – August 3 – he will attend a service to mark the centenary of the Territorial Army service at Wick Old Parish Church.

At the time the granting of the Freedom of Caithness was announced in May, the civic leader of Caithness, Councillor David Bremner, said: "I am delighted that the council has agreed to bestow the Freedom of Caithness on the Duke of Rothesay. This, our civic honour so rarely given, is a most fitting tribute to His Royal Highness's continuation of the link between the Royal Family and Caithness, so cherished by the county's people."

Anne Dunnett, the Lord-Lieutenant of Caithness, commented: "I am delighted about this award.

"It is a recognition of all that he is doing for Caithness.

"His Royal Highness has a great affinity with the county and I think this award will bring him pleasure."