The Lord-Lieutenant issued the following statement on Friday 9 April 2021

​

The passing of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh, has been met with a sense of great sadness.  On behalf of the people and communities of historic Banffshire, I would extend our deepest sympathy to Her Majesty the Queen and to all members of the royal family on their personal loss.

His Royal Highness has always been held in much affection by many.  His role in providing support and stability to the royal family over so many years has been widely recognised and valued.

In 1961, HM The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Banffshire.  Coming ashore in Macduff from the Royal Yacht Britannia, they visited Macduff, Banff, Portsoy, Cullen and Buckie, taking part in several ceremonies and events.  The visits are still recalled and remembered with much appreciation.

One of His Royal Highness’s greatest impacts on the people of Banffshire has been through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.  Over many years, this has been taken up enthusiastically by schools, uniformed organisations, and other community groups.  Countless people remember their involvement in the DofE Award programme as being one of the most significant influences on their personal development.  Whether learning new skills that have remained for life, habits of volunteering and service that continue to enrich Banffshire communities, or the memories of the DofE residentials and, especially, the exhibitions, the award scheme has set countless young people in Banffshire on the road into adulthood.  The ethos and ideas behind the award scheme reflect the life, attitudes, and commitment of the Duke of Edinburgh. 

His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh will live long in the memories of many people.  However, his legacy will live on, not just in the continuing popularity of the Award that bears his title, but even more in the impact that it has inspired on the lives of so many people who grew up and now live in Banffshire.