A beloved member of the Coatbridge community, and the town's former MP, kept an important royal appointment as he travelled to Windsor Castle for the official Investiture of his Knighthood.
Sir Tom Clarke had the prestigious honour bestowed upon him in the 2021 Queen’s New Year’s Honours but his magical in-person moment was delayed due to the pandemic.
However, Sir Tom was officially knighted by HRH The Prince of Wales during a "touching" ceremony.
Sir Tom, who represented Coatbridge at Westminster for 33 years, including serving as a shadow minister under then-leader and constituency neighbour John Smith, was joined at the castle by his sister Mary Lawson and his sister-in-law Mary Clarke.
After the Investiture Sir Tom said it was "a great privilege" to be welcomed at Windsor, and that he found Prince Charles to be "in extremely good form - courteous and showing a very easy manner".
Sir Tom told Lanarkshire Live : “The Prince of Wales and I talked briefly after the official procedure. He was well informed on Scottish affairs, and towards the end invited me to give his good wishes to some of my former colleagues.
"I found it all very touching and I wished him all the very best for the future."
Sir Tom added: "During our visit we had also been invited to Parliament as the guest of the Lord Speaker, my very good friend John McFall, who facilitated lunch for all three of us, hosted by Lady Sue Masham from Yorkshire.
"This was very appropriate as, for a very long time, she remains confined to a wheelchair and did a wonderful job as she sponsored my Disabled Persons Act through the House of Lords.
"We were also joined by some of my former MP colleagues, as well as my London staffers who had served me extremely well over the years. It was really a nice reunion."
The Labour politician had previously been a local councillor for nearly two decades - serving as provost of the new Monklands district council from 1974 until his election to the House of Commons eight years later - and was previously appointed CBE in 1980 for his services to local government.
He received the hugely prestigious royal recognition in the 2021 honours list for “public and political service”.
The award citation says that he has “dedicated his life to fighting for the people he grew up with in North Lanarkshire”, noting that he served “diligently as their MP for 33 years [and] would also become a senior minister”.
Sir Tom said: "Following the announcement last year, I thanked many people and want them to know that I thought of them all throughout my visit.
"Having met some of my former London staff I think it is appropriate to add my thanks to those who served my constituency office so well over many years, led by Sam Harty, who set very high standards indeed, as well as Lindsey McNeil and Dianne Willis, my secretaries.
"I like to think that together we gave our best to my constituents and they were very much on my mind when I received such a prestigious honour.
"Finally, I would like to mention the late councillor Tom Maginnis, who was my agent when I obtained the highest majority anywhere in the UK.
"Tom was a very dear friend, a brilliant councillor, and was able to combine a forthright manner with an ability to be a peacemaker.
"I owe so much to so many, and I thank them again for their loyalty and their companionship. The award was as much for them as it was for me."
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