Prince Edward has made an appearance in Scotland following his comments surrounding his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The Duke of Edinburgh was invited to sow the sapling on an iconic sycamore gap tree in Battery Park, Inverclyde.
The tree once belonged to the historic Hadrian Wall’s Sycamore Gap tree, which was unlawfully felled two years ago, causing uproar.
Inverclyde chief executive Bev Thow welcomed Edward and explained to him the renewed sense of hope in the community.
Edward made a visit to Scotland following his comments about Andrew | PA
She said: “It was a profound honour to welcome His Royal Highness to Inverclyde and to share this moment of reflection, hope and renewal with the people and communities we support. He was so genuinely interested and invested in the work we do in recovery.
“The planting of this sapling carries deep meaning not only as a legacy of the Sycamore Gap tree, but as a symbol of resilience, healing and the possibility of new beginnings.
“At Moving On Inverclyde, we see every day how recovery is nurtured through care, connection and belief in what comes next.
“This sapling will stand as a lasting reminder that, even after loss, growth is still possible when people are supported with dignity, compassion and hope.”
Edward met locals in the Inverclyde area
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PA
Edward met the Moving On Inverclyde team and the Inverclyde Council’s horticultural team during his visit.
Lewis McGhee, 18, who was part of the ceremonial service, said: “I didn’t expect a Royal visit to be part of the apprenticeship. I was just there to give a helping hand with the spade.
“We have been here for a year, and we have learned a lot. It is a great apprenticeship.
“We are busy with a tree planting programme right now.”
Prince Edward became the first member of the Royal Family to publicly address the recently released Epstein documents
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CNNThe Duke of Edinburgh became the first member of the Royal Family to publicly address the recently released Epstein documents.
When questioned by CNN’s Eleni Giokos about how he was handling the fallout from the bombshell files, Edward called for the focus to be on the victims of Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, he said: “I think it’s all really important always to remember the victims and who are the victims in all this.”
These newly disclosed files have drawn Andrew and his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, further into the controversy surrounding the former Duke of York’s association with Epstein.
Edward is the younger brother of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (pictured)
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GETTYAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson have always denied any wrongdoing.
Over three million documents were released related to the case, intensifying scrutiny on those connected to the late financier who died in prison in 2019.
GB News has approached Ms Ferguson for comment. She has not so far publicly commented on the newly disclosed correspondence or the details of her visits to Epstein during this period.
The former Duchess of York has previously made clear her regret of knowing Epstein, saying: “I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf… I will have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again.”