THE QUEEN: MY DEEP AFFECTION FOR SCOTLAND
In moving address to SNP-led parliament, monarch speaks of her love for the nation, and - for the f irst time - the loss of her beloved Philip
THE Queen yesterday spoke of her deep affection for Scotland – and of the happy times she spent here with her late husband Prince Philip.
Delivering a poignant address at the ceremonial opening of the sixth session of the Scottish parliament, Her Majesty spoke publicly for the first time about the Duke of Edinburgh, to whom she was married for 73 years.
She was accompanied by Prince Charles and Camilla, in what experts interpreted as a symbolic display of the ongoing strength of the monarchy in the face of an SNP-led parliament.
In a speech highlighting the fondness felt for Scotland by royals across the generations, she described ‘the many happy memories Prince Philip and I always held of our time here’.
She also spoke of the many ‘heartening stories’ Prince William had told her about people across Scotland working to help each other and care for the vulnerable.
It was the first time that the Queen has spoken publicly of the loss of her husband, whose death
I have spoken before of my deep and abiding affection for this wonderful country, and of the many happy memories Prince Philip and I always held of our time here. It is often said that it is the people that make a place, and there are few places where this is truer than in Scotland, as we have seen in recent times
‘Scotland is her home from home, her favourite place’
‘I trust you will continue to work together’
in April at the age of 99 caused an outpouring of national grief.
As husband and wife, the Queen and the Duke loved spending time north of the Border, on their estate at Balmoral, aboard the Royal Yacht, or on royal duties.
The Duke also regularly appeared alongside the Queen at formal events, including several ceremonies for the opening of previous sessions of Holyrood.
On the eve of his funeral, in April, the Queen chose to share a previously unseen picture of them relaxing at the top of The Coyles of Muick, near Balmoral, in 2003.
She said yesterday: ‘I have spoken before of my deep and abiding affection for this wonderful country, and of the many happy memories Prince Philip and I always held of our time here. It is often said that it is the people that make a place, and there are few places where this is truer than in Scotland, as we have seen in recent times.’
Dressed in a long, alpine green coat and matching hat, and with a vigour that belied the hardships and loss of the past 12 months, the 95-year-old monarch officially opened the Scottish parliament’s sixth session.
Although the Queen – and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in her response – were careful to avoid any reference to party politics or the thorny issue of Scottish independence, experts said the strong royal presence, including the future King Charles, as well as the references to three generations of the Royal Family, would be welcomed by many as a symbol of the UK’s strong and continuing monarchy.
Royal author Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty, said: ‘The Queen appearing alongside Charles and Camilla [right] really does send a strong signal to nationalists, especially those who are republicans. The Queen loves Scotland, it is her home from home and her favourite place.
‘This is about continuity of the monarchy. The Queen would be very saddened if Scotland and England separated in her reign. Appearing with Charles is another sign of her soft but strong power and of the continuity, strength and commitment of the Union.’
Yesterday’s opening should have taken place in July but had been put on hold due to the Covid pandemic.
After arriving at the parliament, escorted by Presiding Officer
Alison Johnstone, the Queen was greeted by party leaders – Ms Sturgeon, the Conservatives’ Douglas Ross, Labour’s Anas Sarwar, Lorna Slater of the Greens, and Alex ColeHamilton of the Lib Dems. She then made her way to the debating chamber, where MSPs waited.
After an introduction by the Presiding Officer, she rose to speak, with Holyrood uncharacteristically hushed.
Her Majesty said: ‘Members of the Scottish parliament, as we all step out from adverse and uncertain times, occasions such as this, today, provide an opportunity for hope and optimism. Marking this new session does indeed bring a sense of beginning and renewal.’
She warned MSPs that Scots will expect them to work together to rebuild the country from the economic and emotional wreckage of the pandemic.
‘While some of you will have differences of opinion, I trust you will continue to work together,’ the Queen said.
Responding, the First Minister offered the parliament’s ‘deep sympathy and shared sorrow at your loss’ and thanked her for being a ‘steadfast friend of our parliament since its establishment in 1999’.
Afterwards the Queen met ‘local
heroes’ who had helped their communities through the pandemic, invited by each of the 129 MSPs.
It is a tradition from previous opening ceremonies of the parliament, but one particularly fitting after a year in which many have suffered, and many have gone above and beyond to help.
In her speech, the Queen added: ‘We all know of the difficult circumstances many people have encountered during the last 18 months.
‘However, alongside this, there have been countless examples of resilience and goodwill. Following my grandson’s time as Lord High Commissioner, Prince William has told me many heartening stories that he heard first-hand of people and communities across Scotland uniting to protect and care for those who are isolated or vulnerable.
‘It is only fitting that we use this occasion to acknowledge and thank these remarkable people.’
In a clear sign that she wanted MSPs to focus on the challenges of the present and future, rather than return to the battles of the past, she made ‘renewal’ a central theme of her speech.
She said: ‘The beginning of a new session is a time for renewal and fresh thinking, providing an opportunity to look to the future and our future generations.
‘Next month, I will be attending COP26 events in Glasgow. The eyes of the world will be on the United Kingdom – Scotland in particular – as leaders come together to address the challenges of climate change.
‘There is a key role for the Scottish parliament, as with all parliaments, to help create a better, healthier future for us all, and to engage with the people they represent, especially our young people.’
Outside the parliament, in a sign of the Queen’s enduring popularity, thousands of supporters waved Union Jacks and Saltires.
Among them, visitor Doff Bowers, 67, from Virginia, in the US, said: ‘It’s a lovely coincidence she is here the same day we are.’ Celebrating her 70th birthday in Edinburgh, Pearl Edwards, from South Wales, said: ‘We love the Queen.’