Prince Edward visits Angus for the first time as Earl of Forfar
He was accompanied by his wife Sophie after the pair were awarded the historic title in March
Last updated 1st Jul 2019
Prince Edward has visited Angus for the first time as the Earl of Forfar.
He was greeted by bagpipes and an instrumental band upon arrival alongside his wife Sophie.
Dozens of people lined Castle street to meet the royal couple on their first stop in a brief Scottish trip.
It's Prince Edward's first visit since he was handed the historical title by his mum - the Queen - in March.
They sat down for a private lunch after walking the length of Castle Street before they stopped by high street shops and community groups.
The new earl promised to forge a special connection with the town of 14,000 people, which sits a few miles east of Glamis Castle, the family seat of the Earls of Strathmore and childhood home of the late Queen Mother.
Edward and Sophie visited St John's Scottish Episcopal Church in Forfar, where she was confirmed, and viewed the register showing her name.
The earl said: "I can't guarantee we will necessarily visit Forfar or Angus every year but we will do our best to keep in touch and take an extra special interest in all the activities that go on here."
The afternoon town walkabout began with visits to two Forfar bridie makers - McLaren's and Saddler's.
At McLaren's, the Earl and Countess met the fifth, sixth and seventh generations of the firm, before moving on to the nearby premises of Saddler's.
Morna Saddler, of the firm, said: "They were absolutely fantastic visitors, asked about the origins of the bridie and were very happy to try it.''
Among the local groups the Earl and Countess met were Forfar Dramatic Society members, young people from the Pitstop Youth centre and participants in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
They rounded off the schedule with visits to the Strathmore Rugby Club Community Trust to learn about pioneering work to encourage less able-bodied players and autistic youngsters into the game, and a tour of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association training centre on the edge of the town.