Tag: Princess Anne

HRH The Princess Royal visits the Eric Liddell Community Hub for the first time as Royal Patron

The Eric Liddell Community was honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal on her first official visit as Royal Patron of the charity.

During her time at the community hub, Her Royal Highness met with service users, staff, volunteers, partners and funders, gaining first-hand insight into the essential work the charity provides in supporting those living with dementia, carers, and individuals facing isolation and loneliness across Edinburgh. 

As part of her visit, The Princess Royal personally thanked Bernadette Morrison, a dedicated volunteer retiring after 14 years of service, for her invaluable contribution to the charity and for her volunteering work at The Eric Liddell Community Hub’s cafe.

The visit also marked the arrival of the highly anticipated Eric Liddell Exhibition at The Eric Liddell Community. This inspiring exhibition commemorates the life and achievements of Eric Liddell, the legendary Olympic gold medallist and Scottish sporting icon, whose story continues to resonate a century after his historic victory in Paris in 1924.

Following its successful launch at the Scottish Parliament, the exhibition now comes to the heart of the community, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore Liddell’s enduring legacy and the values of passion, compassion, and integrity that defined his life. 

John MacMillan, Chief Executive Officer of The Eric Liddell Community, said: “We are delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal on her first visit as our Royal Patron.

“Her continued support is invaluable in helping us share Eric Liddell’s legacy while we continue to support some of Edinburgh’s most vulnerable people and families.

“During her visit, our Royal Patron made clear her support of The Eric Liddell Community’s ongoing work with people who are living with dementia and unpaid carers. 

“We are also thrilled to recognise Bernadette Morrison for her dedication to the charity, and to host the Eric Liddell Exhibition, which will undoubtedly inspire and engage those who visit.” 

Reflecting on her time with the charity, Bernadette Morrison said: “I volunteered for 14 years in Café Connect at The Eric Liddell Community, taking customer orders, preparing coffees, and helping to serve food.

“It was always a joy to be part of such a welcoming and supportive environment. When Her Royal Highness became Royal Patron of The Eric Liddell Community, we were all delighted with the news.

“To now have the opportunity to meet her in person is a privilege beyond words, an experience that will stay with me forever.” 

The Eric Liddell Community provides essential services to its community, ensuring that those facing loneliness and isolation across Edinburgh receive the vital support they need. This includes supporting people who are living with dementia and unpaid carers. To learn more about The Eric Liddell Community, visit ericliddell.org. 

HRH The Princess Royal re-opens refurbished Lady Haig Poppy Factory

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal called into Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in Edinburgh yesterday (Thursday 19th January) to officially re-open the campus following a two-year refurbishment.

Her Royal Highness toured the factory and its new exhibition space, and chatted to staff, before visiting Poppyscotland’s mobile museum, Bud.

The factory, founded in 1926, will now re-open to visitors and school groups following the project to showcase its history and heritage. Thirty-three disabled veterans work in the factory on Logie Green Road, making more than three million poppies each year for the Scottish Poppy Appeal, as well as wreaths and other tributes.

Her Royal Highness was met by the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, Brigadier Dr John Reid Thomson, who is also chair of the factory, Poppyscotland’s President, Rear Admiral Mark Beverstock, Helen Owen, chair of Poppyscotland, and factory manager, Major Charlie Pelling.

David Adamson, a wreath maker and tour guide, who served for 22 years with the Royal Highland Fusiliers, gave her a tour of the factory, introducing the team.

During her visit, she spent time talking to the veterans about their experiences and the different stages of making poppies and wreaths. She signed a “reflection postcard” which will form part of a wall display in the factory.

She also met Summer Saunders and Kate Miller, both 17, from Ayr, who designed a silk red poppy dress as part of the “Junk Kouture” sustainability project and Sophie Henderson, 14, from Ayrshire, who won Poppyscotland’s 2020 poetry competition with her poem “In Future Fields”, a response to John McRae’s 1915 “In Flanders Fields”.

Her Royal Highness then toured Bud, the 18-tonne truck which transforms into a micro-museum, that has now travelled to every local authority in Scotland.  She unveiled a plaque before being presented with a framed copy of both poems by Ms Owen.

Poppyscotland’s Director, Austin Hardie, said: “We were honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to officially re-open our newly refurbished factory and campus today. 

“ This is the culmination of two years of hard work to ensure we have a modern facility dedicated to supporting Scotland’s veterans’ community.

“We are very proud of our heritage, and this marks an exciting new chapter in the factory’s 97-year history. We are looking forward to welcoming school groups and the wider public to the factory and exhibition space, telling the story of the poppy to new generations.”

Ms Owen said: “We are very grateful to Her Royal Highness for taking the time to meet the team involved in this exciting project, as well as her continued support for our Armed Forces community.

“The veterans enjoyed showing her how poppies and wreaths are hand-made using traditional methods, and explaining the unique history of the factory.”

Mr Adamson said: “She was very interested in everything, and took the time to speak to as many of the guys as possible. She also noticed the big difference from last time she visited.”

To find out more about Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory or book a tour, go to:

www.poppyscotland.org.uk/lady-haigs-poppy-factory.

Princess Royal attends Redford Barracks rehearsals on eve of Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal today attended one of the final rehearsals of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo ahead of its official opening night tomorrow (Friday 5 August).

All performers from this year’s Show, Voices, took part in the rehearsal at the Redford Barracks, giving Her Royal Highness an exclusive preview of their stunning musical and cultural showcases and military precision.  

Over 900 performers from across the globe are taking part in this year’s Tattoo. Voices, is a celebration of expression, giving a stage to performers and acts from around the globe to share their voices through spoken word, song, music and dance. 

Crowds will gather at Edinburgh Castle this summer, from 5 August – 27 August, for the cultural spectacular, which returns for the first time since 2019.  

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone on 0131 225 1188.