Change needed to tackle climate crisis, Queen says

Queen Elizabeth II was shown a wave energy converter model during a visit to the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute

Tackling climate change will mean a change to "the way we do things", the Queen has said as she met experts on global warming in Edinburgh.

The Queen and the Princess Royal visited the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI) ahead of COP26 climate summit in Glasgow in November.

It was the monarch's final engagement as part of the traditional Royal Week visit to Scotland.

She arrived at the University of Edinburgh in a hybrid 4x4 vehicle.

During her visit she was shown a wave energy converter model, which is designed to provide cost-effective clean electricity.

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The Queen spoke to experts from Climate XChange, an independent research group that advises the Scottish government.

Regarding the impact of tackling the global issue, she said: "It does mean we are going to have to change the way we do things really, in the end."

Anne Marte Bergeseng, knowledge exchange manager at the organisation, said her discussion with the monarch covered "everything" about a greener future and what that means for our way of living.

The tour coincided with the announcement of the Edinburgh Earth Initiative (EEI), a project aiming to boost global leadership on the adaption to and mitigation of climate change.

EEI will be a focal point for the university's research on the climate, and will have an emphasis on supporting global partnerships to deliver solutions.

The Queen arrived at the University of Edinburgh in a hybrid electric 4x4 vehicle

The Queen and her daughter Anne also met representatives from the Children's Parliament who explained their recent contribution to Scotland's Climate Assembly.

The children presented the monarch with two rowan trees that will be planted as part of the Queen's Green Canopy, a UK-wide tree planting initiative to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee next year.

'Massive honour'

The Queen finished the event by unveiling a plaque for the institute and listening to a speech from university principal Peter Mathieson.

He spoke about the challenges faced by the workforce during the pandemic and what it may mean for the future.

After the presentation, the Queen said: "It's very unnatural for us, obviously we're going to have to change our lives a bit.

"Nothing can be quite normal again or what we thought."

Dave Reay, ECCI executive director, described the royal visit as "amazing".

"It's a massive honour to have Her Majesty and Her Royal Highness come to visit the ECCI and be so interested in all the different actions we have been taking," he said.