The Royal Deeside legacy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was celebrated with the prestigious Regional Contribution Award, sponsored by Shell, at this year's Northern Star Business Awards.
The monarch’s Royal Deeside legacy was celebrated at the Northern Star Business Awards, where she became the first person to be posthumously given the Regional Contribution Award.
The prize was granted with the blessing of His Majesty King Charles III and is given annually to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the economy of the region.
Previous winners include oil and gas services entrepreneur Sir Ian Wood, Balmoral Group founder Sir Jimmy Milne and Martin Gilbert, who launched the global investment house Aberdeen Asset Management from the city.
David Cameron, Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeen, and Sandy Manson, Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire, jointly accepted the award from sponsors Shell on behalf of His Majesty The King.
Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “Her Late Majesty was a regular visitor to the region and had a warm relationship with the people of Aberdeenshire and the Granite City.
“She held a particularly special place in her heart for Balmoral and often seemed happiest spending time with family at her home on Royal Deeside. Her love of this area was clear, and it was often said that Balmoral was her favourite place on earth.
“Almost every person and business in Ballater and Braemar has personal stories about meeting the royals as they relaxed in the surroundings of the Cairngorms.
“Her Late Majesty seldom missed attending the Braemar Gathering and was a regular visitor at many other business and community events in the North-east.
“Scores of businesses in the area proudly held Royal Warrants for supplying the Royal Household with goods or services. Many North-east businesses too, over the years, have had the honour of being awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in recognition of their exceptional contribution to industry and commerce.
“In November 1976, the Late Queen formally launched the operation of the UK’s first oil pipeline running 130 miles from Cruden Bay to Grangemouth a key milestone in Aberdeen becoming Europe’s oil & gas capital.
“Add all this to the tourism worth tens of millions of pounds to our economy every year generated as a result of the royal connection, and we felt it was important to recognise the huge legacy that her passion and support for the region will leave for generations to come.
“We trust that the royal family’s love story with Deeside will continue to endure as the very soon to be crowned King Charles takes over the duties of monarch from Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II”.
Sandy Manson, Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire, said: “It is a great honour to jointly collect this special award on behalf of His Majesty which recognises the exceptional and remarkable contribution made by Her Late Majesty The Queen in supporting the wellbeing and prosperity of our economy and communities in the North-east of Scotland.
“The North-east of Scotland was very fortunate to enjoy a very close and enduring relationship with Her Late Majesty and I know that in the years ahead local businesses and communities will continue to benefit greatly from a similarly close connection with His Majesty King Charles.”
About the sponsor
Shell is a global group of energy companies. Shell use advanced technologies to meet the world’s growing need for more and cleaner energy in ways that are economically, environmentally and socially responsible. It's Powering Progress UK strategy is designed to accelerate the transition to Shell’s overall net-zero emissions target, whilst supplying the energy the UK needs now.