The Earl of Wessex and his wife Sophie will be know as the Earl and Countess of Forfar when they are north of the border.

His new title was announced as the prince celebrated his 55th birthday on Sunday.

The Royal Family posted a tweet wishing him "a very happy birthday".

The Earldom of Forfar was created in 1661 and became extinct as a title in 1715 when the second Earl died leaving no children.

Prince Edward is patron of a number of Scottish charitable organisations, such as The Edinburgh International Festival, the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland and Badminton Scotland.

As trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh Award he has supported the non formal education of thousands of young people in Scotland and holds annual Gold Award presentations at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

In 2014 The Earl was Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Queen's personal representative to the assembly.

Forfar, which has a population of just over 14,000, is the county town of Angus.

It is situated near Glamis Castle, the seat of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne, the family which the late Queen Mother was part of.

Australian Associated Press