News
TRH unveil a plaque dedicated to the memory of The Queen Mother at Canisbay Church in Caithness
6th August 2006
The Duke of Rothesay unveiled a lasting memorial to his beloved grandmother today at a church in Canisbay, Scotland.
The Duke and Duchess, as The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall are known in Scotland, joined worshippers at tiny Canisbay Church in Caithness, where a carved stone plaque in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, has been installed.
The Queen Mother, who died in 2002, visited the kirk over a period of 50 years while she stayed at the Castle of Mey.
To mark the long association, The Duke commissioned sculptor Adam Williamson to carve the personal tribute to her memory. Adam Williamson attended The Prince's School for Traditional Arts.
The two-foot-wide oval plaque includes an inscription written by The Duke, as well as a likeness of The Queen Mother.
After attending a mid-day service at Canisbay with around 150 parishioners, The Duke officially unveiled the plaque to applause from spectators.
The Duke, wearing a Rothesay tartan kilt, chatted to Mr Williamson.
London-based Mr Williamson, 24, spent 18 months etching the plaque from a block of Lake District Burlington slate.
The inscription reads: “Placed here by HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, in loving memory of his grandmother, HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, who kept such a special place in her heart for this parish and who worshipped in this kirk for almost 50 years until October 2001.”
Mr Williamson's work included half-a-dozen face-to-face meetings with The Duke, a site visit to Canisbay as well as sifting through photo albums of the royal family.
The sculptor, who has completed other carvings for The Duke said: “He was very involved in the whole process, much more so than for my other projects.
“He had a very firm idea of what he wanted and you could tell it meant a great deal.”
He added: “The Prince said the plaque was marvellous.
“I am just pleased to have it finished and I am happy The Prince is happy with it.”
The Duke and Duchess chatted briefly to members of the congregation after the unveiling.
Former Canisbay minister, Alec Muir, who was among the worshippers, said: “I think the plaque is beautiful.
“She was such a special person and liked it here because the people are so straightforward and didn‘t trouble her.”
Canisbay Church is mainland Britain's most northerly church and enjoys sweeping views over the Pentland Firth to the Orkney Islands.