New title for the Earl of Wessex
Published 10 March 2019
The Queen has been pleased to grant The Earl of Wessex the additional title of Earl of Forfar.
Notes for Editors:
The Earl of Wessex is Patron of a number of Scottish charitable organisations, such as The Edinburgh International Festival, the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland and Badminton Scotland.
As Trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, HRH 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 2014 The Earl was Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, The Queen’s personal representative to the Assembly.
Their Royal Highnesses will use the title The Earl and Countess of Forfar when in Scotland.
The Earldom of Forfar was created in 1661 and became extinct as a title in 1715. It was a subsidiary title to the Earl of Ormond and was a title held by the Douglas Family.
The 1st Earl of Forfar (1653 to 1712) was Archibald Douglas. His son, also Archibald Douglas, became the 2nd Earl of Forfar (1692 to 1715). The 2nd Earl took the title at the age of 20 and died without issue leaving the Earldom, part of the Peerage of Scotland, extinct.
Forfar is the county town of Angus with a population of just over 14,000. It is the principal county town nearest to Glamis Castle, the seat of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne. It was this family of which the late Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother was part.
Related content
A Statement from The Prince of Wales
And I thank her on behalf of my generation for providing an example of service and dignity in public life that was from a different age, but always relevant to us all.

The Principal Proclamation
Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call to His Mercy our late Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second of Blessed and Glorious Memory, by whose Decease the Crown of the...

His Majesty The King’s Oath relating to the security of the Church of Scotland
I, Charles the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of My other Realms and Territories, King, Defender of the Faith
His Majesty The King’s Declaration
I shall strive to follow the inspiring example I have been set in upholding constitutional government and to seek the peace, harmony and prosperity of the peoples of these...






The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the Commonwealth Games

The Duchess of Cambridge joined the 1851 trust and the Great Britain SailGP Team in Plymouth


A message from The Queen to the Governor General and the people of Canada
I mourn with all Canadians at this tragic time.
A message from The Queen to the President of Pakistan
The United Kingdom stands in solidarity with Pakistan as you recover from these terrible events.

The King's Presence Chamber, St James's Palace

King's Birthday Ball at St.James's Palace, 1782

Souvenir of the visit of Queen Mary to Holyrood





The Earl of Wessex officially closes the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
You have inspired us and hopefully future generations. You have also demonstrated what unites us. Thank you, Birmingham and the West Midlands.

A message of congratulations from The Queen to the England Women's Football Team
You have all set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations.


The Queen's message for the 2022 Commonwealth Games
My warmest thanks go to all those who have worked so hard to ensure the success of this particularly special sporting event, and I wish each athlete and team every success
A message from The Earl of Wessex ahead of the Commonwealth Games
Whatever your role or involvement, I hope you have an experience of a lifetime and enjoy every moment.


Report a vulnerability
The Royal Household takes the security of our systems seriously. This page provides guidance on how to report a security vulnerability identified within any publicly...

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge marked Windrush Day

A message of condolence from The Queen following the death of former Prime Minister Abe of Japan
I wish to convey my deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and to the people of Japan at this difficult time.

Wales Week 2022

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended Grenfell Tower Memorial Service

The Duchess of Cambridge Visited Little Village’s hub in Brent

Financial reports 2021-22
The Royal Household today published its annual financial statement, the Sovereign Grant Report, for the financial year 2021-22. The Sovereign Grant is the funding provided to...


