“There is no greater honour than being named after the town” according to MSP Jackie Baillie amid rumours Harry and Meghan dropped the Dumbarton title inherited by their son Archie.
The Daily Telegraph reported the couple, appointed the titles of Earl and Countess of Dumbarton by the Queen on their wedding day, apparently refused the same title for their son Archie.
The paper say sources reveal they declined to use the title as they feared their son would be bullied or attract unfortunate nicknames as a result of the own’s name which features the word “dumb”.
And after sharing a hilarious meme with her own picture and the tagline ‘Mon Then’, deputy Scottish Labour leader Jackie has told the Lennox Herald how passionate they should be about the town and indeed the title.
She said: “I am very proud to be the MSP for Dumbarton. It is my home. Dumbarton is a wonderful place and the people of Dumbarton have always prided ourselves on being open and accepting.
“We welcome with open arms anyone who wishes to be associated with or call Dumbarton their home. If the rumours about Harry and Meghan are true, then I would encourage them to rethink their decision as I think there is no greater honour than being named after the town.”
Early last year, a campaign group argued the pair should be stripped of their titles after stepping back as senior royals, switching their home to California and never having visited the town.
Graham Smith, CEO of Republic, which campaigns for an elected head of state, said: “My own view is that they should not be hanging on to all their titles if they don’t want to do the job. They can’t have it both ways – keeping the perks but not wanting to stay and do the work.
“If I lived in Dumbarton, I would be pretty miffed they had taken the title but not supported the community they claim to represent.”
Jackie, who in May won election for the sixth consecutive time to represent the town in the Scottish Parliament, herself had previously told how she would be pleased if they paid a visit, saying in 2019: “The people of Dumbarton have been looking forward to welcoming Harry and Meghan to the town.
“We’d also be delighted if they brought baby Archie as well.”
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