The Duke of Rothesay, has
confirmed that he will remain as Patron of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
(RBGE) until 2017.
The news comes at the end of a year when His Royal Highness visited the Garden
to meet staff and volunteers undertaking massive clean-up and planting
operations following the devastating gales of early January 2012.
While it is an internationally-renowned centre of excellence for scientific and
horticultural research and conservation, RBGE is also a popular visitor
attraction. After the storm struck, His Royal Highness contacted the Garden to
determine what damage had been caused. Learning that some 300 panes had been
lost from the public and research Glasshouses and more than 30 trees had fallen
or were taken down as deemed unsafe, plans were put in place for an official
visit.
Regius Keeper and Queen’s Botanist in Scotland, Professor Stephen Blackmore
commented: “His Royal Highness has provided tremendous support to the Garden,
both in the wake of last year’s storm damage and on his many other visits to
our flagship site in Edinburgh and to our Regional Gardens. I
am delighted he has renewed his Patronage, he has a deep knowledge and
understanding of plants and a keen eye for gardens. We benefit enormously from
his support and engagement”.
His Royal Highness has been Patron of RBGE since 2002, when he succeeded Her
Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.
During that time, HRH has visited on numerous occasions, including the official
opening of the restored Victorian Palm House, in 2005. And, in the company of
Her Majesty The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and The Duchess of Rothesay, the official
opening of the Queen Mother’s Memorial Garden, in 2006.
ENDS