Queen marks 20 years of the Scottish Parliament

Summary

The Queen addressed MSPs as part of celebrations to mark 20 years of the Scottish Parliament
She said that in the last two decades it has been a pleasure to watch Scotland "grow and prosper"
The Queen added that the parliament must be a "place to listen" as well as a place to talk
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also addressed those gathered in the chamber
She said the parliament had been "firmly established as the centre of this nation's public life"

Live Reporting

Craig Hutchison and Deirdre Kelly

Recap on the Queen's address to Holyroodpublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 29 June 2019
Image source, bbc
Image caption,
The Queen addresses MSPs and guests
That's all from BBC Scotland's Holyrood coverage of the Queen's address to the Scottish Parliament, as part of commemorations marking 20 years since its opening.
Addressing the chamber, the Queen said: "I am pleased to join you today in marking the 20th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament.
"We fondly remember that proud day when new members gathered in the Assembly Hall to celebrate Scotland's first parliament in 300 years.
"I have noted on previous occasions my great affection for Scotland, and the many happy and personal connections I enjoy with this wonderful country. "
Image source, bbc
Image caption,
Nicola Sturgeon thanks the Queen for her support of the parliament
In her response, Nicola Sturgeon recalled the "optimism" for the Scottish Parliament when it was created, but also spoke about the "scale of the challenge" MSPs faced then.
The first minister said: "There were times perhaps, especially in the first few years of the parliament, when the sense of challenge possibly outweighed the sense of optimism."
Ms Sturgeon added: "Although this parliament is only 20 years young, it has long come of age."
Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh got the biggest laugh of the day as he told the Queen and the Duke of Rothsay that he had once signed "chicken parliament" by accident in BSL .
Image source, bbc
Image caption,
The Queen laughs as Ken Macintosh explains he once signed the "chicken parliament " in BSL by accident!
Postpublished at 12:59 British Summer Time 29 June 2019
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 2
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 2
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 3
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 3
Postpublished at 12:52 British Summer Time 29 June 2019
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
Postpublished at 12:51 British Summer Time 29 June 2019
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
Shouts of 'God save the Queen' as the Royal car gets ready to leavepublished at 12:41 British Summer Time 29 June 2019
Queen meets young people as she departs the parliamentpublished at 12:38 British Summer Time 29 June 2019
The Queen is meeting young people from across Scotland who won the "Dear Scottish Parliament" letter competitions, setting out their hopes and aspirations for the institution over the next 20 years.
The winning submissions were included in the book The Scottish Parliament at Twenty to commemorate the Scottish Parliament’s 20th anniversary.
The book also includes a series of essays from authors, academics and others exploring how well the parliament is placed to tackle the big issues facing Scotland’s future.
Programme of celebrations at Scottish Parliamentpublished at 12:37 British Summer Time 29 June 2019
Image source, Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament will celebrate its 20th anniversary by throwing its doors open for a fun filled day at Holyrood on Saturday 29 June, beginning from 3pm.
A whole host of activities will take place on the day including live music and dance, retro games like space hoppers and a giant jenga , and a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of the Parliament and sit in the Presiding Officer’s seat.
Sessions will be hosted on ‘The Future of Scotland’ where guests can remotely control robots of the future, experience 3D Holograms, or discuss their aspirations for Scotland for the next 20 years.
There will also be panel debates, including a Festival of Politics session which discusses the concept of ‘Happiness’.
Queen signs the visitor's bookpublished at 12:36 British Summer Time 29 June 2019
Queen and Duke of Rothesay meet the 1 July youngsterspublished at 12:34 British Summer Time 29 June 2019
Image caption,
Some of those born on 1 July 1999 were at the parliament for the celebrations
Following the Address, the presiding officer escorted the Queen and the Duke of Rothesay to the Main Hall where they met those who were born on 1 July 1999.
A mace was presented to Holyrood 20 years agopublished at 12:31 British Summer Time 29 June 2019
Image source, Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament’s Mace featured in the first minister's speech today.
Nicola Sturgeon said if we stay true to the values on the mace we will make progress towards a wealthier, fairer and better Scotland.
Engraved on the head of the mace are the words 'Wisdom, Justice, Compassion and Integrity' - these are a reference to the ideals that the people of Scotland aspire to for their Members of Parliament.
Postpublished at 12:22 British Summer Time 29 June 2019
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post 2
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post 2
Picture re-cap: The Queen applauds the celebrationspublished at 12:20 British Summer Time 29 June 2019
Image source, EPA
Image source, EPA
Image source, EPA
The singing continues in the Holyrood chamberpublished at 12:11 British Summer Time 29 June 2019
Image source, bbc
Image caption,
Sheena Wellington reprises her singing of A Man's a Man for A' That from 1999
Image source, bbc
Image caption,
The mace leaves the chamber
Queen leaves as bagpiper plays 'A Man's a Man for a' That'published at 12:10 British Summer Time 29 June 2019
Image source, bbc
Image caption,
Scottish Parliament’s Piper Stuart McMillan
Presiding Officer closes the meeting of the parliament and the Scottish Parliament’s Piper Stuart McMillan MSP plays A Man's a Man for a' That by Robert Burns to mark The Queen’s departure.
Image source, bbc
'Ae Fond Kiss' sung to those gatheredpublished at 12:06 British Summer Time 29 June 2019
Image source, bbc
Image caption,
Karen Matheson
Ae Fond Kiss by Robert Burns is being sung.
This version is arranged by Donald Shaw and Kevin McCrae and performed by Karen Matheson, accompanied by Donald Shaw on piano and the Harvey String Quartet.
Lib Dem MSP: 'Let this parliament flourish'published at 12:04 British Summer Time 29 June 2019
Image source, bbc
Former Scottish Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott says it is an honour to speak today having joined the parliament in 1999.
Mr Scott tells the chamber the toughest interrogation he has faced as an MSP has come from primary school pupils, who ask "why haven't you tackled climate change, how much are you paid and have you met the Queen"?
"Let this parliament flourish," he says adding "there is no turning back, nor should there be".
Harvie inspired after giving evidence to Holyrood committeepublished at 12:03 British Summer Time 29 June 2019
Image source, bbc
Image caption,
Scottish Green Party co--convener Patrick Harvie
Scottish Green Party co--convener Patrick Harvie says the opening of this parliament was an exciting time for Scotland and for his party, with the election of first Green MSP Robin Harper.
Mr Harvie explains he was a youth worker when it opened.
And with the parliament only 10 months old he gave evidence at a committee witness in the parliament, which was powerful for his LGBT community.
The Scottish Green Party co--convener says "we must renew the pledge to share power with the people".
Green and Lib Dem MSPs make addressespublished at 11:58 British Summer Time 29 June 2019
Scottish Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie and former leader of the Scottish Lib Dems Tavish Scott address the chamber.
This will be the last official words we hear from Mr Scott, as he is quitting Holyrood to take up a new job with Scottish Rugby.
The Shetland MSP was elected in the first Scottish Parliament election in 1999.
Farewell to Govan performed in the chamberpublished at 11:53 British Summer Time 29 June 2019
Image source, bbc
Farewell to Govan now resounds around Holyrood's debating chamber.
It has been composed by Phil Cunningham; arranged and conducted by John Logan, head of brass; and performed by Braw Brass accompanied by Phil Cunningham and Jenn Butterworth, The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Image source, bbc
Labour's Richard Leonard says there is still much to dopublished at 11:53 British Summer Time 29 June 2019
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard he stands proud as part of the party that delivered devolution, but with humility
He pays tribute to Donald Dewar quoting him from 1999: "Today there is a new voice in the land a voice of a democratic parliament, a voice to shape, a voice of the future."
Mr Leonard says inequalities still exist and the rich are getting richer and the gap between them and the poor grows.
"We have a job to do ahead of us to re balance the economy so it runs for the people," he adds.