THE newest addition to the royal family, the son of the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, could be given a Scottish title as the Earl of Dumbarton – but will it make any difference to the town and the people who live there? The National decided to find out.
Earl of Dumbarton was initially created in the Peerage of Scotland in 1675 and was given to Lord George Douglas for his services in the 17th-century war between the Dutch Republic and France.
However, after his only son died unmarried the title became extinct in 1749 and was only recently renewed by the Queen when she conferred it to her grandson. Prince Harry was given the subsidiary title Earl of Dumbarton in July 2018 on occasion of his wedding.
The baby will not be a royal highness or a prince and instead, as a son of a duke, will receive one of his father’s titles, becoming the Earl of Dumbarton.
Dumbarton has royalty embedded in its history dating back to the fifth century when it served as the capital of the Kingdom of Strathclyde.
It was also the home to Mary Stuart, later Mary, Queen of Scots, for several months in her childhood before she left Scotland for France.
Opinion on the expected new royal link was mixed.
James McRight, 18, said: “I think it is a bit weird. The royal family hasn’t been to Dumbarton in ages, so I think it is a bit weird for him to be named earl of the place.”
Aidan McQuade, 19, added: “I don’t really like the royal family if I am completely honest. I don’t care about the title.”
Retiree Margaret Connolly said: “It’s nice that they have a wee baby and everything is well, but it doesn’t make any difference to the common person and I am in that category, I am afraid.”
One 62-year-old man, who wished to remain nameless, saying: “Personally, I cannot stand them. I have no time for them and as for them naming him the Earl of Dumbarton, it is just a joke.”
A 57-year old man, who asked not to be named, said: “I have nothing against the baby but I think it’s an outdated institution.”
He added: “I hope the baby has a lovely life but I don’t think he should be any different from any other baby with these special titles.”
However, not everyone shares that opinion. Some, like Gemma Burgoyne, 30, think it is “brilliant” and will be “good for Dumbarton”.
Facilities assistant, Leslie Macdonald, 56, agreed and said: “It will bring more tourism to the place. It might be good for local businesses and the local economy, so why not?”
After learning of the expected title of the royal baby, Cindy McLean said: “Lucky him! It is always lovely to have a wee baby born, it is great news.”
Another Dumbarton woman who asked to remain anonymous said: “I am quite delighted as it brings good publicity to this area”.
A cleaner from the area, Kirsty Mullen, 42, said: “I think it will be good for the area, won’t it? It’s about time we got something up here.”
The new royal baby is seventh in line to the throne.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel