Prince Charles is to retrace the steps of his grandmother, the Queen Mother, when he visits Dundee for a ceremony marking the restoration of a famous Black Watch memorial, it was revealed on Tuesday.
The Duke of Rothesay will attend the rededication service for the bronze statue of a Black Watch soldier at Powrie Brae on Sunday – 50 years after the Queen Mother unveiled the original memorial.
Prince Charles, following in his grandmother’s footsteps as royal patron of the association, will be on hand to rededicate the memorial.
He will be joined on the outskirts of the city by veterans of World War II from the Dundee and Angus battalions, some of whom attended the original ceremony in October 1959.
The bronze soldier, which stands against the backdrop of the Angus countryside, commemorates the sacrifice of more than 440 Black Watch soldiers from the 4th and 5th battalions who died in the war.
The landmark had required urgent restoration after decades of standing stoically looking over Dundee in all weathers. The Black Watch Association raised £12,000 to carry out restoration work on the statue.
Serving Black Watch soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, Territorial Army soldiers of the 51st Highland Volunteers, members of the Angus and Dundee Battalion of the Army Cadet Force, Black Watch veterans and their families will also join civic heads and members of the public to mark the occasion.
Black Watch Association secretary Major Ronnie Proctor said: "The landmark statue stands with his feet in Angus but overlooks the city of Dundee, commemorating the loss of lads from both the rural and urban battalions.
"Unfortunately, years standing out in all weathers had taken their toll on our old soldier and urgent restoration was required to stop it deteriorating beyond repair.
"The rededication ceremony will be a real Black Watch family event. We're delighted that Prince Charles has agreed to attend. The prince has continued the great love shown for the Black Watch by the late Queen Mother and he is very much a part of the regimental family."
He added: "It seemed very fitting that Prince Charles should echo the presence of his grandmother 50 years on.
"Over the years thousands of local men have fought in wars across the world with The Black Watch. Their sacrifice continues to this day and the Powrie Brae memorial is a powerful reminder of their courage, dedication and service and a focal point for the community to share remembrance into the 21st century."
