Queen joins MSPs to mark 20th anniversary of Scottish Parliament
The Queen has arrived at the Scottish Parliament for a special event taking place as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations.
The Prince of Wales, who holds the title of the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, is accompanying his mother as she makes a speech to MSPs in the debating chamber.
👑🎂 Good morning everyone and welcome to live coverage of the ceremony celebrating 20 years of the Scottish Parliament. Feel free to ask us a question! You can also watch with BSL interpretation on https://t.co/82gDtoFFWw#scotparl20https://t.co/pSyWKFElow
— Scottish Parliament (@ScotParl) June 29, 2019
The ceremony is taking place almost 20 years to the day since the Parliament officially assumed its legal powers on July 1, 1999 following devolution.
Some of the young people born on that date are joining MSPs to take part in the event.
Ahead of the Queen’s arrival, the Crown of Scotland was brought in a procession from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood, carried by the Duke of Hamilton and accompanied by the Pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion of the Scots Guards.
The royal party arrived at the Scottish Parliament at around 11am, where they were met by Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh and representatives of the five parties at Holyrood.
The Queen is to make an address at the ceremony, while First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is also making a speech in response.
Ms Sturgeon tweeted earlier: “This morning, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the re-establishment of @ScotParl. In these two decades, the Parliament has become the democratic heart of our nation and delivered real progress. We now look towards a new decade and the next chapter in Scotland’s story.”
At this morning’s event to mark the 20th anniversary of @ScotParl – and as we have done at all the Parliament’s key milestones – @theSNP MSPs will wear Hugh MacDiarmid’s little white rose of Scotland. pic.twitter.com/Iaupt5HRxz
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) June 29, 2019
The chamber will also hear from Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, Scottish Labour’s Richard Leonard, Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie and Liberal Democrat MSP Tavish Scott.
The speeches are being interspersed with cultural performances, including Scots Makar Jackie Kay reading her poem The Long View, written specially for the event and celebrating the changes in the 20 years since the Scottish Parliament was reconvened.
With my @ScotTories colleagues celebrating #20yearsscottishparliamentpic.twitter.com/AuJYqVmVUe
— Alison Harris MSP (@AlisonHarrisMSP) June 29, 2019
All set for the 20th Anniversary of the Scottish Parliament. pic.twitter.com/nVYz6qWpKv
— James Kelly MSP (@JamesKellyLab) June 29, 2019
The chamber choir of the National Youth Choir of Scotland, Scottish folk musician Phil Cunningham and members of Celtic band Capercaillie are also performing.
Stuart MacMillan MSP will play Robert Burns’s A Man’s A Man For A’ That on the bagpipes as the Queen leaves the chamber.
After the ceremony, the Queen and Charles will attend a reception in the Parliament’s main hall and sign the visitors book.
When the Queen’s visit was first announced, Mr Macintosh said: “Since the Scottish Parliament was established nearly two decades ago, Her Majesty the Queen has given us her unwavering support.
“She addressed the newly elected MSPs in July 1999 as we assumed our legislative powers and she has visited Holyrood many times since. Each time with messages of friendship and support.
20 years since @ScotParl reconvened by my mother Winnie Ewing. Proud day. pic.twitter.com/sip7bPxIc3
— Annabelle Ewing (@aewingmsp) June 29, 2019
“It will be a pleasure to welcome Her Majesty and HRH the Duke of Rothesay to the Parliament once again as we celebrate our 20th year.”
The visit marks the ninth time the Queen has addressed the Scottish Parliament.
Her last speech to MSPs took place on July 2 2016 as part of celebrations marking the opening of the fifth session of the Parliament.
Charles last visited the Parliament in 2006 to attend a reception of the Prince’s Trust.
The ceremony on Saturday is part of a year-long programme of events to mark two decades of devolution.