Prince praises heroes of the Black Watch

THE Prince of Wales has thanked Black Watch soldiers for their "amazing contribution" as he presented them with Afghanistan campaign medals.

• Prince Charles, who is Royal Colonel of the Black Watch, sits with troops after presenting campaign medals at Fort George, near Inverness. Picture: Getty

About 500 members of the regiment received the awards in a ceremony at their base at Fort George, near Inverness, yesterday.

The prince also presented the families of three fallen soldiers with the Elizabeth Cross, which is given to the next of kin of those killed in conflicts.

The medals were given to the families of Sergeant Stuart "Gus" Millar and Corporal Tam Mason, who both died in Afghanistan, and Private Scott Kennedy, who was killed in Iraq in 2007.

The regiment returned in November from a seven-month tour of Afghanistan.

Dressed in desert combats in his role as Royal Colonel of the regiment, the Prince of Wales presented medals to about 150 soldiers, while the others were presented by Lieutenant General Andrew Graham and Brigadier Mike Riddell-Webster.