Queen urges calm amid Brexit chaos Monarch’s appeal during Holyrood visit

countries across the globe we are all of this and more.

“We are so much stronger for the diversity that shapes us.

“Our collective commitment to the people of Scotland today is that we will not shy away from any challenge we face, no matter how difficult or deep-rooted.”

The opening c e re m o ny al s o included music, poetry and speeches, with about 2500 people taking part in the historic Riding Procession down the Royal Mile following the event.

Poetry and music was performed, with Midge Ure giving a rendition of Robert Burns’ A Man’s A Man For A’ That.

MSP Stuart McMillan played The Rowan Tree on the bagpipes as Her Majesty left the chamber.

The fifth term of the Scottish Parliament began after May’s elections and MSPs had their final session before the summer break on Thursday.

Referring to the fallout from the EU result, Holyrood’s Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh added: “In these few short weeks – weeks of unprecedented political turbulence – I have already seen a real willingness to work cooperatively and collaboratively.

“I have seen the emergence of a shared agenda to clarify the identity and role of the Scottish Parliament and a shared recognition that it is more i m p o r t a nt than ever that the Parliament finds its own voice – a voice of hope, to echo Donald Dewar, a voice for the future.”