London, Aug 5: After being bestowed with the honour “Freedom of Caithness”, Prince Charles paid a moving tribute to his grandmother late Queen Elizabeth saying he wished to ring her up to convey how he felt receiving the award.

But, he added, the most frustrating thing for him was that he couldn’t ring up to tell her about it.

Since the death of the Queen Mother, the Prince of Wales has maintained a strong royal connection with her former private residence at the Castle of Mey, continuing her tradition of spending time in the summer there, and engaging with various aspects of local community life.

“There was something tucked away in my heart for a very long time in this part of the world. As many of you will know, I adored my grandmother, and one of the most frustrating things about today is that I cannot ring her up and tell her about it,” The Telegraph quoted him as saying after receiving the award.

He added: “I can't tell you how touched I have been by the news you wished to do this. I could not be more flattered, and indeed grateful to Highland Council for what has turned out to be probably one of the best early 60th birthday presents I could receive.”

The Prince who will turn 60 in November, promotes Caithness at a national level through his North Highland Initiative and remained in Wick yesterday to meet staff responsible for producing food as part of the project. Under the scheme, designed to promote and develop the Highland economy, products are sourced within a 100-mile radius of the Castle of Mey and sold under the Mey Selections brand name.

The packaging for the products, including beef, mutton and lamb, features a painting of the castle by the duke, and the project provides local farmers with additional income. (ANI)