The King's coronation: Lord-Lieutenant tells of monarch's special affection for Caithness
The Lord-Lieutenant of Caithness has spoken of the special affection King Charles III has for the county.
Lord Thurso will be among the guests at the coronation in Westminster Abbey on Saturday.
“I'm obviously deeply honoured that Caithness is being represented, and that I am the Lord-Lieutenant at this time," he said.
“I know how special Caithness is in His Majesty's affections, and how much he has enjoyed his visits to the county in the past and is looking forward to coming again in the future.
“I will do my best to represent the county."
Lord Thurso acknowledged that he is unlikely to have the clearest view in the abbey so is relying on his wife Marion to record the ceremony on TV.
"There will be a huge number of people there, and I am highly unlikely to see him other than from afar," the Lord-Lieutenant said. "It is just a great honour to be there.
“Marion, meanwhile, will be watching on television and will be taping it for me so that I can see what I missed when I get back. She will have a far better view and therefore will be recording it all so I can watch it on catch-up.”
Prince Charles, as he was then, received the Freedom of Caithness from Highland Council at a ceremony in Wick in August 2008. Following the death of the Queen Mother in 2002 he had kept up a strong connection with her former residence at the Castle of Mey.
The Freedom of Caithness presentation was made three months before the future King turned 60 and he said at the time: "I can't tell you how touched I have been by the news you wished to do this.
"I could not be more flattered, and indeed grateful to Highland Council for what has turned out to be probably one of the best early 60th birthday presents I could receive."