Dumbarton Football Club chiefs were left shocked after they received a letter from Prince Harry thanking them for a gift.
The Royal, who was gifted the title of the Earl of Dumbarton after his wedding to Meghan Markle in the summer of 2018, was sent a limited edition tartan Sons scarf last month - with the club receiving a written response from one of his assistants last week.
The letter addressed to the club’s associate director Andrew Gordon read: “The Duke of Sussex has asked me to thank you for your kind letter of January 15 and for taking the trouble to enclose a Dumbarton Football Club tartan scarf. It really was most thoughtful and greatly appreciated.”
Sons’ chairman John Steele said: “We were surprised and delighted to receive the letter.
“The scarves have been enormously popular since they went on sale late last year, and this just shows how popular they can be.”
And on Facebook the club posted: “We managed to get one of our official tartan scarves sent to Prince Harry, before he made his official announcements.
“Last week we received a reply.
“Perhaps it kept him warm during Storm Ciara this week.”
However it received a mixed response from Sons fans.
Programme editor Graeme Robertson said: “Given it says the Duke of Sussex, I think the point of a scarf from DFC may have gone over the letter writer’s head.”
While John Robb commented: “Can I get a free scarf? I actually work for a living, and support the Sons.”
Despite their titles, and now being the proud owner of a Sons scarf, there appears to be little chance that the Prince will be treating himself to an afternoon of Scottish League One football any time soon.
A planned visit to Dumbarton last autumn fell through with a town source telling us last month that their decision to step down from official duties has left any trip to the area in doubt.
The source said: “Meghan and Harry’s decision also leaves question marks over their titles as the Earl and Countess of Dumbarton, with doubts now arising as to whether or not they’ll ever visit the town.
“Hopes were previously high that Meghan and Harry might pay a visit to the area in autumn last year, with a visit this spring prior to the Dumbarton 2020 Festival also rumoured.
“However any potential trip now looks unlikely with the couple and son Archie set to move to Canada.”
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