WHAT an excellent picture taken in Windsor Castle of the Queen and Prince Philip ("Duke marks 99 years", The Herald, June 10). While I am not a supporter of the institution of heads of state being hereditary monarchs, I am not so curmudgeonly as to refuse to recognise the services carried out by Prince Philip since his marriage to the then Princess Elizabeth in 1947.

Before his marriage he was, of course, known to the British royals through his Greek, Danish and German royal and aristocratic connections and, during the Second World War, he served in the Royal Navy, both in the Mediterranean and the Far East. That career, of course, he gave up after the death of George VI in 1952 . Moreover, he sought to introduce an organisation for young people which would challenge them, and that ambition brought into being the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

He has played a stellar part in supporting the Queen over the many years of their marriage and consequently his service to this country is one readily worthy of recognition.

Ian W Thomson, Lenzie.

Remember the 51st

ON June 12, 1940 the brave men of the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, including my great-uncle, Jackie Linstrum, finally surrendered to overwhelming opposition at St Valéry-en-Caux, having held the line and helped permit the evacuation of Dunkirk.

More than 10,000 men of the 51st were captured, marched to Poland and spent five years in Stalags before marching again in dreadful conditions back to their own lines.

No heroes' welcome awaited these men and many chose to leave their homeland and make new lives elsewhere, those lives forever impacted by the terror of their experience.

The memorial at St Valéry stands proudly above this beautiful seaside town as does the First World War 51st memorial at Beaumont Hamel on the Somme, another reminder of family bravery. A fitting memorial also stands in Perth.

As we approach 80 years since the surrender at St Valéry, let us recognise these men as amongst Scotland's finest and cherish them for their sacrifice.

Fraser Kelly, Glasgow G13.

Are sneakers essential?

MARKS and Spencer seems to have had a privilege for some weeks that other stores have not had during the Covid-19 crisis. M&S has quietly opened up more of its floor space to selling "non-essential" items to customers.

I frequently now have to avoid line-ups of people, checking out the bras and sneakers, to escape with my milk and bread.

Nicola Sturgeon failed to adequately address the issue at First Minister's Question Time yesterday (June 10). How many independent fashion stores are just a little frustrated?

Andy Stenton, Glasgow G1.

Cut-out the danger

THE Football Company's Fans at the Game cardboard cut-outs launch is a great idea ("Glasgow firm sets up cut-out football fan service", Herald Business, June 10). However it should include cut-outs of security staff and police to ensure authenticity because if there’s a foul or penalty awarded the cut-outs could get a bit out of hand, or if there’s a strong wind there could be a pitch invasion.

John McKenzie, Prestwick.

Going to pieces

GOSH, 70 years on and I'm back doing jigsaws. Nothing changes, there's still a wee tricky piece I cannot find and it's driving me up the wall.

Alan Stephen, Glasgow G44.