The Queen’s enduring affection for Angus has been at the heart of a Forfar service of thanksgiving for Her Majesty’s life.
It was held in a packed Lowson Memorial Church, where the late monarch’s youngest son, Edward, and his wife, Sophie, joined the congregation on Tuesday afternoon.
The Royal couple were making their latest visit to the burgh as the Earl and Countess of Forfar.
In 2019, Queen Elizabeth restored the historic title after an absence of three centuries when she gifted it to Prince Edward on his 55th birthday.
Since then the Earl and Countess have returned on several occasions to share the successes of local groups and support a range of organisations.
Angus-wide congregation
And a congregation of around 300 joined them in the celebration of a life and reign with close ties to the county.
Angus Lord Lieutenant Pat Sawers spoke of Her Majesty’s earliest days as a young Princess visiting Glamis Castle.
“I want us to remember the joy Her Majesty gave to the people of Angus throughout her life, and hopefully the joy Angus gave to her,” she said.
“We here in Angus were all so proud when Her Majesty granted the title of the Earl of Forfar to her youngest son.
“And we are delighted the Earl and Countess can be here with us today.”
The Lord Lieutenant spoke of the Queen’s unstinting life of service to her country.
“Could I ask you all to think how you could give something back to your community in memory of our Queen,” she said.
And Mrs Sawers ended with a touch of lightness, producing a marmalade sandwich from her handbag in tribute to the platinum jubilee sketch involving the late Monarch and Paddington Bear.
Lowson minister the Rev. Dr Karen Fenwick said it had been an “absolute delight and pleasure” to lead the service.
It included a mesmerising performance of For Good from the hit musical Wicked by the Scottish Police and Community Choir.
The Earl and Countess then spent time meeting many of the congregation, which included community volunteers involved in the passing of the Queen’s cortege through Angus.
Morning engagements
Earlier in the day, the Earl and Countess carried out separate local engagements.
Prince Edward was at the Hatton of Glamis base of Ogilvy Distillery to learn about the firm’s success in making vodka in Scotland’s first dedicated potato distillery.
And the Countess met youngsters at Forfar’s early learning and childcare centre.
She officially opened the centre on the site of the former Forfar Academy.
Centre assistant manager Laura Turriff said: “We have been open for almost two years now and everyone has worked so hard to get to where we are today.
“We started with six children and currently have 64 children.
“The children have been so excited about the visit.
“It is a fantastic opportunity and a privilege to have the Countess visit and showcase early learning in Angus.”
The Earl and Countess also made a brief walkabout in Forfar town centre on their way to a lunch in the Canmore Room of the municipal buildings.
More pictures from Courier photographer Mhairi Edwards of the Royal visit to Forfar.
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