Prince Charles honours ‘amazing’ octogenarian church organist who’s been playing for 75 years as he attends church service during his annual Scotland visit
- Prince Charles, 73, enjoys annual stay at Castle of Mey near John O’Groats
- Yesterday, he attended the Sunday service at Canisbay Church in Caithness
- After, he honoured organist Mary Edmondson, 89, for her 75 years of service
- He then planted a rowan tree in the church garden to mark Queen’s Jubilee
The Prince of Wales has honoured a church organist, who has been playing for 75 years, with a surprise presentation for her dedication.
Charles, 73, who is known as the Duke of Rothsay in Scotland, presented Mary Edmondson, 89, with a basket of flowers following the service at Canisbay Parish Church in Caithness yesterday.
The royal is currently enjoying his annual stay at the Castle of Mey, near John O’Groats, which belonged to the late Queen Mother, and like her attends Canisbay Parish Church when he is staying there.
He wore traditional Scottish dress as he attended the service, complementing his kilt with knee socks and a sporran.
Miss Edmondson began playing the organ at the age of 14 and has played the instrument in various churches across the past seven and a half decades.
Prince Charles (left) described church organist Mary Edmondson (right) as an ‘amazing lady’, giving her a basket of flowers in recognition of her 75-years of service, playing the organ
The royal (pictured here with Mary Edmondson and Rev Janet Easton-Berry) is currently enjoying his annual Summer Scottish stay
Charles congratulated her on her dedication and also delivered a letter from the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, who described her as ‘truly inspirational’.
Miss Edmondson was joined at the church service by her dog Poppy, who travels everywhere with her in a tartan carry basket.
Speaking after the service, the 89-year-old said that Charles was ‘quite taken’ by Poppy.
She said: ‘I go everywhere with her and I told her that she was going to meet the Prince and she licked his shoes, so that was nice.’
Charles was invited to make the presentation by the Rev Janet Easton-Berry.
She said: ‘Mary has been playing the organ in various churches and denominations for 75 years and started playing at Canisbay Church when she was 81.
‘She is an amazing lady and much loved, so we wanted to organise a special surprise for her during the annual Royal Service.
‘I told her at the last minute what was going to happen and the look of surprise on her face was wonderful because she did not have a clue.
Following the Sunday service, Prince Charles planted a rowan tree in the church garden to mark the Queen’s Platinum
The royal showed he was not afraid to get his hands dirty, and got stuck in digging a hole in which to plant the sapling
‘When His Royal Highness approached her with the basket of flowers and Moderator’s letter with a huge smile on his face she was in absolute shock.
‘It was so lovely and very, very special. He is a very warm and gracious man and Mary held his hand and told him that she started playing the organ when she was 14.
‘Prince Charles told her that she must be the most longstanding organist, having played for 75 years and still going.
‘The presentation meant so much to Mary and I told her that we appreciated her and we loved her.’
After the service, Charles planted a rowan tree in the church garden to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and a plaque will be put up at a later date.
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