King Charles and Queen Camilla visit Holyrood to mark 25 years of Scottish Parliament

28 September 2024, 13:50

The King and Queen Attend The Commemoration Of The 25th Anniversary Of The Scottish Parliament
The King and Queen Attend The Commemoration Of The 25th Anniversary Of The Scottish Parliament. Picture: Getty

By Henry Moore

King Charles highlighted the importance of Climate Change as he visited the Scottish Parliament to mark its 25th anniversary.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Alongside the Queen, Charles addressed the chamber during a visit to Holyrood on Saturday, saying the parliament can "touch and improve the lives of so many individuals".

He highlighted Scotland as a "uniquely special place" in the hearts of his family, saying Queen Elizabeth II "treasured the time spent at Balmoral".

The King said the opening of the Scottish Parliament 25 years ago was "a turning point" and that Saturday's anniversary "is an important milestone".

Read more: Prince Harry jets to New York without Meghan Markle as judge rules US visa application will stay private

Read more: Prince William and Kate wish Harry a 'very happy' 40th birthday in surprise message

He said: "As we look ahead to the next quarter of a century and beyond, there remains much more to be done for Scotland, for the United Kingdom, and equally, in addressing the challenges we all share as inhabitants of a planet whose climate is changing dangerously, and whose biodiversity is being seriously depleted.

"Let this moment therefore be the beginning of the next chapter.

The King addresses Holyrood.
The King addresses Holyrood. Picture: Getty

"The achievement of the past and the commitment shown in the present give us the soundest basis for confidence in the future."

He continued: "We are often told that we live in an era of polarisation and division. If that is so, then it is perhaps even more important, not less, that in the vital areas of representation, of political debate, of policy making and of discourse, these values, together with hope, civility and generosity of spirit, are never far from the heart of even the most difficult of issues.

"It seems to me that such an approach is why this parliament has grown in its experience, in its ability to touch and to improve the lives of so many individuals and communities throughout this great land."

The King also hailed Scotland's "natural beauty" and "strength of character".

He added: "From the central belt to the north Highlands, across the islands, in Ayrshire, in the Borders, the cities, towns and villages, all the coastal communities, who I wonder, could not fail to be moved by this complex Caledonian kaleidoscope?

"Speaking from a personal perspective, Scotland has always had a uniquely special place in the hearts of my family and myself.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla sign the visitors book following an event at the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood in Edinburgh to mark its 25th anniversary.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla sign the visitors book following an event at the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood in Edinburgh to mark its 25th anniversary. Picture: Alamy

"My beloved grandmother was proudly Scottish, my late mother especially treasured the time spent at Balmoral, and it was there in the most beloved of places, where she chose to spend her final days."

Charles and Camilla were met by presiding officer Alison Johnstone and deputy presiding officers Liam McArthur and Annabelle Ewing.

The royal couple then greeted Holyrood's party leaders - First Minister and head of the SNP John Swinney, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Virginia Giuffre

Woman driving Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre during crash that left her with 'four days to live' breaks silence

Prescot, Merseyside

Girl, 13, dies in horror Merseyside house fire as five children escape unharmed

File photo of a Harris hawk

Dive-bombing hawk that terrorised village with string of blood-soaked attacks finally caught by local hero

Exclusive
'Donald Trump has made Putin comfortable,' Mikhail Khodorkovsky has warned

'Trump has made Putin comfortable' despite massive Ukraine war losses, exiled former oligarch tells LBC

New images show the moment the two ships collided.

New images show moment of North Sea crash as investigation reveals neither ship had a 'dedicated lookout'

Washington, DC, USA. 15 Apr 2017. A balloon caricature of President Donald Trump appears at the Tax March protest near the U.S. Capitol.

Buy US chlorinated chicken in return for lower tariffs, Trump tells Britain

From jeans to jet fuel and firearms to whiskey: Britain unveils lengthy list of US items facing tariffs

From jeans to jet fuel and firearms to whiskey: Britain unveils lengthy list of US items facing tariffs

Forensic investigators at Milton Keynes train station after a man was shot dead by armed police officers.

Knifeman shot dead by police in Milton Keynes after moving 'at speed' towards officers named for first time

The bodies of Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were discovered by a neighbour.

British couple found dead in south of France home being ‘treated as murder-suicide’

Kerri Pegg, former governor of HMP Kirkham,

Prison governor denies relationship with drug boss 'Jesse Pinkman' after flip flops carrying his DNA found in her flat

Julie Goodyear as Bet Lynch. Her husband has now deleted a recent photograph of the actress which he shared in honour of her 83rd birthday on Wednesday

Julie Goodyear's husband removes rare photo of Coronation Street star after dementia diagnosis amid blacklash

The vehicle was later extinguished after the driver, covered in flames, emerged from the vehicle.

Amsterdam Dam Square car explosion sees driver engulfed in flames - just days after mass stabbing

Kanye West confirms that him and Bianca Censori have split.

Kanye West confirms split from wife Bianca Censori as rapper claims she 'tried to have me committed'

d

Pictured: US tourist arrested for sailing to remote island and leaving a can of Coke for world's most isolated tribe

The female athlete took a knee instead of competing against a transgender athlete in a fencing tournament.

Fencing row erupts as US athlete takes knee instead of competing against transgender athlete

Luton Airport

Luton Airport expansion plans approved by transport secretary despite environmental concerns