The Cambridges Mark Burns Night by Supporting the NHS

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge marked Burns Night, a celebration of Robert Burns, widely regarded as Scotland's national poet. William and Kate worked alongside NHS Charities Together and Tayside Health Fund to provide a traditional supper of haggis, neeps and tatties to two hundred frontline workers caring for patients in Dundee.

In a video message coinciding with the news William said, "Hello to everyone at NHS Tayside. We know Burns Night is a special evening for Scots around the world. A time to come together to eat, drink and to celebrate the life and work of Robert Burns." The Duchess added, "Sadly this year is a little different. And for many of you working on the frontline, tonight will be a very different occasion, as you work tirelessly through this pandemic to protect the most vulnerable in our society." William continued, "As a token of our appreciation, we've teamed up with NHS Charities Together to provide you with a Haggis dinner." Kate said, "We hope you enjoy it and look forward to better times together soon."

This Burns Night, we’ve teamed up with @NHSCharities to provide staff at @NHSTayside with a Burns celebration lunch of haggis, neeps and tatties.

Thank you for all that you do — Slàinte Mhath! #BurnsNight2021 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 pic.twitter.com/nvALnO9LzR

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) January 25, 2021

The Telegraph reports:

'The couple also arranged for royal warrant holders to donate Burns Biscuits and gift boxes to a further 100 staff to thank them for their work.

Aides said the couple, who met at St Andrews University and are regular visitors to the Queen’s Balmoral estate in the Highlands, were conscious that Burns Night would not be the same as usual for most Scots and wanted to do something to show their appreciation.

The gesture follows controversy over the Cambridges’ visit to Edinburgh as part of their UK train tour in December after it emerged that Scottish Government officials had twice tried to dissuade them from visiting due to the pandemic. It also comes amid renewed calls for an independence referendum, with polls suggesting Scots are increasingly in favour of independence.'

Another terrific element is news Scottish warrant holders the Fisher & Donaldson bakery and emporium Valvona & Crolla donated boxes to staff at the request of the Palace. At the beginning of the pandemic, we saw huge efforts by online retailers and members of the public in sending much-needed meals to those on the front line. As we continue to battle on, it's so important in our respective communities to continue gestures of appreciation to those sacrificing so much to keep us safe. Below, a traditional Burns supper of haggis, neeps and tatties, as donated by the Cambridges. (Neeps are better known as swedes and tatties are potatoes). If interested in finding out more there are several recipes available on the BBC Good Food website.

Hello! writes:

Grant Archibald, NHS Tayside chief executive, said: "Our staff have now been at the frontline in our response to Covid-19 for more than 300 days and their dedication has been truly awe-inspiring. 

"It means so much to all of our teams across Angus, Dundee and Perth & Kinross to receive this special message of appreciation today which underlines the ongoing, extraordinary efforts of Team Tayside."

Robert Burns was born in 1759 in Alloway, Scotland. Like his father, he was a tenant farmer. Throughout his life his passion was poetry and his talent capturing aspects of his own life and larger societal and religious issues. The Poetry Foundation shared an excerpt from a letter the poet wrote in 1786. "I am in a fair way of becoming as eminent as Thomas a Kempis or John Bunyan; and you may expect henceforth to see my birthday inserted among the wonderful events, in the Poor Robin's and Aberdeen Almanacks and by all probability I shall soon be the tenth Worthy, and the eighth Wise Man, of the world."

The power of words to evoke emotions experienced during relationships are beautifully illustrated in 'Ae Fond Kiss'. It was written in 1791 by Burns and sent to a woman he loved before she left Scotland. They never saw each other again.

Ae fond kiss and then we sever

Ae fareweel, alas for ever

Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee

Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee

Who shall say that fortune grieves him

While the star of hope she leaves him

Me, nae cheerful twinkle lights me

Dark despair around benights me...

The lyrical poem has been recorded by several prominent artists. Below, a rendition by Scottish singer-songwriter (and frontwoman of Fairground Attraction) Eddi Reader performed at a tribute show for Robert Burns.

Did you know the festive favourite Auld Lang Syne was made popular by Burns? He sent a copy of the original song to the Scots Musical Museum in 1788 with a note reading, "The following song, an old song, of the olden times, and which has never been in print, nor even in manuscript until I took it down from an old man."

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne

Speaking about the impact of the poem today, Prince Charles said, "With Auld Lang Syne, he gave us words which have become a symbol of fellowship the world over - and never has that sense of connection been more important than now."

“With Auld Lang Syne, he gave us words which have become a symbol of fellowship the world over - and never has that sense of connection been more important than now.”

🎥 During virtual celebrations with @RobertBurnsFed, The Prince recited one of Burns’ most famous poems. pic.twitter.com/nRxvbLsvoN

— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) January 25, 2021

To mark the day, Buckingham Palace shared several stunning recent photos from Balmoral with Burns' poem 'My Heart is in the Highlands':

A lovely reading of the poem by the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Duchess has also marked Burns Night in a message to @aberdeenuni, of which Her Royal Highness is Chancellor.

🎥 Watch as HRH reads a favourite Robert Burns poem, ‘My Heart’s in the Highlands’. pic.twitter.com/5qoVIYfALI

— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) January 25, 2021

A virtual Burns Night from SCOTS officers and soldiers. 

To give you a flavour of pre-pandemic celebrations taking place all over the world, take a look at this video from 2019 at the Kincardine Legion.

You will recognise the tartan Emilia Wickstead pieces worn by the Duchess in the video.

The Duchess wore the skirt during the Royal Train Tour in December.

The piece is cut in an A-line silhouette from sturdy flannel that has sharp knife pleats throughout. Cinched with a belted waist.

We first saw a glimpse of the top when Kate arrived for the Queen's pre-Christmas luncheon at Buckingham Palace in December 2019.

The Duchess accessorised her Simone Rocha pearl earrings.

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In a spot of bright news, it was revealed by The Mail on Sunday the Cambridges welcomed a new addition to their family. James Middleton gave the family a female spaniel, who is now eight months old, before Lupo passed away. The new arrival is in fact a niece of Lupo's. The pet's name is not yet known. In July, James shared the below image with the caption, "56 days ago you were born, 56 days of early starts, lots of poo and half eaten socks but 56 days of pure joy watching you grow. But now it’s time for you go. I am sad to see you go, and yes I might cry but it will be with happiness, as each of your new homes are bursting with love. You might be scared at first, that's ok. Just be yourself and you will never understand how much happiness you will bring to your new families and all the people you meet." I'm sure the children are having a wonderful time playing with the new addition at Anmer.

I expect we could very well hear something from the Duchess on Wednesday to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. The Court Circular notes she spoke with survivors and Holocaust Educational Trust’s youth ambassadors. A word of thanks for your excellent Kate Loves suggestions. Work is already underway... Finally, if searching for a much needed injection of royal sparkle, I enormously enjoyed writing about Princess Grace's 40th birthday (and how Elizabeth Taylor stole the show). Pop over to The Royal Digest to read.