Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, to continue honouring the legacy of Scotland’s Olympic hero through her new role with the charity.
The Eric Liddell Community is delighted to announce that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, will serve as the Royal Patron of the charity. This follows her role as Patron of The Eric Liddell 100 campaign, an initiative that commemorated the centenary of Eric Liddell’s gold medal triumph at the 1924 Paris Olympics.
Throughout 2024, The Eric Liddell 100 campaign has celebrated the life, achievements, and values of one of Scotland’s most iconic figures, “The Flying Scotsman.” The campaign, led by The Eric Liddell Community, has highlighted Liddell’s sporting success, his commitment to community service, and his lasting legacy. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, has been integral to the campaign, attending notable events such as the memorial service at St Giles’ Cathedral, the inaugural Eric Liddell Lecture and the National Eric Liddell Awards.
The Eric Liddell 100 campaign introduced a variety of initiatives throughout 2024 designed to celebrate Liddell’s legacy and uphold his values of passion, compassion, and integrity. These include learning resources for adults and schools, the opening of The Eric Liddell Way in Bruntsfield Links, a fundraising appeal tied to the Olympic year, an exhibition in the Scottish Parliament during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the National Eric Liddell Awards.
At the National Eric Liddell Awards on November 1st, hosted at George Watson’s College, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, presented awards to eight recipients. During the event, it was also announced that she will assume a three year role as Royal Patron of The Eric Liddell Community.
In her welcome message for the National Eric Liddell Awards Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, stated:
“As Patron of Eric Liddell 100 it has been a pleasure to recognise and celebrate the life, sporting and community service achievements of one of Scotland’s and the UK’s most remarkable individuals, ‘The Flying Scotsman’ Eric Liddell. The 2024 Olympics took place in Paris, 100 years since his Gold medal success at the 1924 Games in the same city. This provides us with an opportunity to remember, and share, his remarkable story. This celebration highlights not only his sporting achievements but also his life, beliefs, and the legacy he left behind, which continues to inspire people around the globe.”
John MacMillan, Chief Executive Officer of The Eric Liddell Community, said:
“We are delighted and deeply honoured that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, will be The Royal Patron of The Eric Liddell Community. Her unwavering support throughout The Eric Liddell 100 campaign has been instrumental in celebrating Eric’s legacy and amplifying the timeless values of compassion, integrity, and community service that he embodied. As we move forward, we are excited to build on the successes of this centenary year and continue our vital work, inspired by Eric’s life and the tremendous encouragement of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.”
As 2024 draws to a close, the initiatives established through The Eric Liddell 100 ensure that the legacy of Eric Liddell will inspire future generations. The Eric Liddell Community looks forward to continuing this important work in 2025 and beyond with the support of the charity’s Royal Patron.
