New title for the Earl of Wessex

Published

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

Remarks by The Prince of Wales at the British High Commissioner's Residence, Lagos, Nigeria

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Una people. Na fine Lagos people. I hail you! (Wonderful people of Lagos) How you dey? (How are you?) I am so...

07 November 2018
Feature

Commemorating the First World War

Find out more about how The Royal Family have commemorated the First World War

A speech by The Prince of Wales at the Accra International Convention Centre, Accra, Ghana

It is clear to me that the Commonwealth remains as vital today, as it has ever been. It brings us together, building bridges between our governments and our people

05 November 2018
Feature

Remembrance 2018

Find out more about how The Royal Family are marking Remembrance 2018
Feature

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess Cornwall tour of Ghana

Find out more about The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall's tour of West Africa

A speech by The Prince of Wales at the State Dinner in The Gambia

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen As-salaam Alaykum Thank you, Mr. President, for those incredibly kind words and for gathering us all here for...

01 November 2018

A speech by The Prince of Wales at the State Welcome Ceremony in The Gambia

Mr. President, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen As-salaam Alaykum (Peace be upon you) Na-ngen-deff (How are you?) Al-beh-Njaadi (How are you?) Ta-na-la (How are you?)...

01 November 2018
Feature

The First World War in the Royal Archives

See items from the Royal Archives that document the Royal Family in the First World War

A speech by The Duke of Sussex at a visit to Te Papaiouru Marae

E nga mana E nga reo Tena koutou katoa He mihi ki a koutou O ngati whakaue I powhiritia mai tenei ra Ka nui te aroha maua Ko taku whaiaipo No reira Tena koutou Tena koutou...

31 October 2018

A speech by The Duke of Sussex at a reception for young people at Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland

It’s wonderful to be at an event celebrating diversity in one of the world’s most diverse cities.

30 October 2018

A speech by The Duke of Sussex at a visit to Pillars, Ka Pou Whakahou

We couldn’t be happier to support such fantastic work. Kia kaha.

30 October 2018
Press release 30 October 2018

The Queen has sent a message to The King of Jordan

Read more
Press release 29 October 2018

A statement from The Duke of Cambridge

Read more

A speech ​by The Duchess of Sussex in New Zealand marking the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage

Suffrage is not simply about the right to vote but also about what that represents. The basic and fundamental human right of being able to participate in the choices for your...

28 October 2018

A speech by The Duke of Sussex at the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Closing Ceremony

And to the competitors goes the biggest thanks of all. You have once again left us humbled and inspired by your example, by your determination, by your service and by your...

27 October 2018

A speech by The Duchess of Sussex at the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Closing Ceremony

​I was able to see the unshakable bonds between service men and women on the ground together, but at the same time to feel the palpable longing for family and friends while...

27 October 2018

A speech by The Duke of Sussex at the Australian Geographic Society Awards

Tonight I have been so inspired by the awardees who are making such a remarkable difference in their communities

26 October 2018

A Speech by The Duke of Sussex at The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy Dedication, Tupou College Forestry, Tonga

Tonga is leading by example and understands deeply the impact of environmental changes

26 October 2018

A speech by The Duke of Sussex at a Formal Banquet hosted by His Majesty King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u

Coming to Tonga I feel very much as though I am coming to visit an extended family.

25 October 2018

A speech by The Duke of Sussex at The Queen's Commonwealth Canopy dedication in Fiji

It's incredibly encouraging to see how many countries have now signed up to this initiative, in my grandmother's name, to preserve forests throughout the Commonwealth

24 October 2018

The Queen's speech at The Netherlands State Banquet

Over the many hundreds of years of our shared history, there are few nations who are able to claim a closer bond

23 October 2018

A speech by The Duke of Sussex at a State Dinner hosted by His Excellency The President of Fiji

This visit is particularly nostalgic for us as a young married couple – my grandparents stayed in this very hotel, the Grand Pacific, a number of times over the years.

23 October 2018

A speech by The Duke of Sussex at The Queen's Commonwealth Canopy Dedication on K’gari (Fraser Island)

It's wonderful to be here today on K’gari – or Fraser Island. I would first like to acknowledge the Butchulla People, the Traditional Owners of this beautiful island who care...

22 October 2018

A speech by The Duke of Sussex at the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Opening Ceremony

Hello Sydney. Hello Australia. And hello Invictus. On this day in 1973, my grandmother, The Queen stood in front of this Opera House and declared it open. Forty-five years...

20 October 2018

A speech by The Duke of Sussex at a Picnic in the Park in Dubbo

Thank you to the Mayor of Dubbo Councillor Shields, the Honourable Mr Grant, distinguished guests, and to you all for welcoming me and my wife so warmly today. And thank you...

17 October 2018

A Speech by The Duke Of Sussex at a Welcome Reception hosted by The Governor-General

G’day, Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen. It is great to be back in Australia. And especially even more so this is my wife's first visit here, so I’m very excited to show...

17 October 2018
Feature

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's visit to Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand

Keep updated with the latest news from Their Royal Highnesses' Tour
Press release 15 October 2018

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting a baby

Read more