News
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall attend The Prince's Charities in Scotland race day in Perth
20th August 2011
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall attended a charity race day in Perth today.
Their Royal Highnesses, who are known as The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in
Scotland, attended in support of The Prince's Charities in Scotland.
The Duke and Duchess were welcomed to the Perth Racecourse Charities Race Day, in the grounds of the historic Scone Palace, by Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond and his wife Moira.
A thoroughly Scottish welcome was given, as Their Royal Highnesses were piped in by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Pipe Band and met by a host of local dignitaries dressed in tartan.
After the welcome, Their Royal Highnesses went quickly to pet the military Grey Charger horse that had been sent out to greet them, and speak with its rider Lieutenant James Crowford.
Hundreds of people turned out to support the charity, and The Duke and Duchess spoke to many of them as they made their way to the race side marquee.
One child smiled sweetly as The Duchess, who was wearing the Lord of the Isles tartan, asked if she had made any extra pocket money on the horses, while The Duke delighted the crowd by giving a wave as he took up his position trackside.
Introducing The Duke and Duchess as they prepared to present the Governor's Cup to the winning trainer, Mr Salmond said: "The objective of the Royal Race Day in Perth is to raise money for some of the most important charities in the country.
"It is charities like The Princes Trust, The Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) and Scottish Business in the Community which give life chances, employment and job opportunities to tens of thousands of young people around the country, and I can't think of any cause more important than that.
"But these charities wouldn't be in existence if it wasn't for the work of His Royal Highness The Duke of Rothesay."
The Duke thanked the First Minister for inviting him to Perth to support the charity race day, praising his "enthusiasm and determination".
He added: "I am enormously touched that it was his idea to hold this special race day in aid of my charities in Scotland, and I cannot thank him enough for such a marvellous idea which I think has been a great success thanks to him."
He added: "Coming here to the Perth Race Course reminds me of the day when I used to play polo in the middle of the course some 30 years ago.
"It also reminds me, as long ago as that, of the time I rode one of my grandmother's horses in Newton Abbot where I came way at the back, covered in mud, but extremely happy to have got round.
"What has been raised today will make an enormous difference to my charities in Scotland, and I hope we will be able to help young people start their own enterprises, which is of enormous importance, and also help many young people to gain self-esteem and self confidence and turn
their lives around for the better.
"All of this is of enormous importance at the moment."