22/04/2008 05:36:00
Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, visited northern Scotland yesterday to unveil a set of memorial gates in honour of the Queen Mother.
The gates, which took six months to build and feature the deceased royal's coat of arms, were revealed to a crowd of around 200 people outside Glamis Castle in Angus, the Queen Mother's childhood home.
According to the BBC, Glamis Castle has had royal links since 1372. During World War One, it was also used as a military hospital, during which time the Queen Mother helped care for injured soldiers. She is also said to have spent her honeymoon in the castle.
Speaking to audience gathered to watch the unveiling of the gates, Prince Charles said: "Like many here, I suspect, I miss my grandmother every day.
"I miss her vitality, her interest in the lives of others, her courage and determination, her perceptive wisdom, her calm in the face of all difficulties, her steadfast belief in the British people and above all her sense of mischievous humour.
"These are all qualities and characteristics we recall with love, pride and gratitude and the physical presence of these gates provide a fitting memorial in the most fitting family place."
The gates were erected by the Queen Mother Memorial Fund, which was launched in 2003 by former Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell.
The fund has received over £1 million in donations from Scotland and the world over, and was also instrumental in the creation of the Queen Mother's Memorial at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh.