On 26th January 1923 Glasgow received a Royal visit from Prince Albert, the Duke of York and the Weir Recreation Club featured highly in his itinerary that day.

Prince Albert ("Bertie" as he was known to family members) was at the time only second in line to the throne behind is brother Edward, the Prince of Wales. Just prior to his visit Prince Albert had announce his engagement to Elizabeth Bowes Lyon. News of his wedding to a Scot created further public goodwill north of the border for this already popular Prince.

On the morning of his visit, Prince Albert received the Freedom of the City of Glasgow at a ceremony in the City Chambers surrounded by huge crowds. Thereafter, Prince Albert was taken to a visit of the Weir factory at Cathcart to meet with Lord Weir and his fellow Directors for a tour.

The recently formed Recreation Ground bore the name Albert Park and as such the Weir board invited Prince Albert to plant a ceremonial oak tree at the rear of the West Bowling Green. The moment is recorded in the photo below where Prince Albert is seen planting the sapling, flanked by Lord Weir and his colleagues and watched on by Mr. W. Douglas, the first President of the Club, Prince Albert was further entertained by a ladies' hockey and gents football match.

Also on this. day, Prince Albert would include a visit to Hampden Park where he would watch a football match between Queens Park FC and Bathgate FC who fought out a 1-1 draw at the national stadium.

The sapling planted by Prince Albert continues to stand as a proud strong oak tree nestled next to the White Cart River and stands as a reminder of the Royal visit to Albert Park.

Only 13 years after Prince Albert's visit, his brother, Edward, would abdicate the throne to marry Wallis Simpson. The young Prince was unexpectedly crowned George VI in December 1936 and battled a famous speech impediment to become an inspirational orator to the British public during the Second World War. His Scottish wife is more commonly recognised as the Queen Mother.