3 Kessock RNLI helms represent charity at King Charles' royal garden party
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THREE members of Kessock RNLI were invited at a garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse to represent the lifeboat and talk to His Majesty King Charles III about their work.
Doug Grant (big Doug), Dougie Munro (wee Doug), and Jane Hier received a special invitation of the Lord Lieutenant to the King for Ross and Cromarty, Mrs Joanne Whiteford to represent the RNLI at the event.
Around 6000 people were in attendance including His Majesty King Charles III, Queen Camilla and Anne, Princess Royal.
Doug Grant, who has 37 years service with the RNLI in various guises and comes from a family with 114 years of RNLI history, said: "It was an amazing experience talking to His Majesty King Charles III yesterday, and it just shows how much respect there is for the RNLI and their volunteers, and I am incredibly proud to be part of that. This is a day that will stay with Barbara and I for the rest of our lives."
Mr Munro added: "We were very privileged to attend the Royal Garden Party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse to represent the RNLI. It was an honour to represent our lifesaving charity and we were lucky enough to get a few minutes to chat His Majesty King Charles III about what we do as a charity, our roles, the boat and equipment we use and a chat about the weather.
"He commented it was particularly wet for the garden party this year, and we joked about how we should have taken our dry suits and the boat. His Majesty King Charles III was very knowledgeable about the voluntary work we do and expressed great admiration for all of our volunteers, for the work we do saving lives at sea."
Ms Hier commented: "It was a privilege to be invited to the garden party, even in the rain the atmosphere was fantastic and The Palace of Holyroodhouse was a beautiful venue.
"We were incredibly lucky to be selected by The Company of Royal Archers to meet and speak with the King. We chatted about my upcoming visit to Poole and how grateful he is for the 24/7, 365 day a year operation the RNLI operates."
