In pictures: Queen officially opens Scottish Parliament

2 October 2021

The Queen has officially opened the sixth session of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.

Because of social distancing restrictions, the ceremony went ahead in the debating chamber with empty seats and pre-recorded music.

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, The Queen spoke of her "deep affection" for Scotland during the ceremony

Image source, Rex Features

Image caption, Members of the public watched the ceremonial parade on the Royal Mile ahead of the opening of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, Royal Archers were part of the procession.

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, The Queen was greeted at the Scottish Parliament by Edinburgh Lord Provost Frank Ross.

Image source, Historic Environment Scotland

Image caption, Kathy Richmond, from Historic Environment Scotland, prepared the Crown of Scotland at Edinburgh Castle. The crown appears in the chamber as part of the opening proceedings, and is taken to Holyrood as part of the "Riding of Parliament", a ritual dating back to the 15th Century and reintroduced in 1999.

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, The Duke of Hamilton carried the Crown of Scotland into the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, having accompanied it from Edinburgh Castle.

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, The Queen, 95, was accompanied into the Scottish Parliament by presiding officer Alison Johnstone, who formally welcomed the royal guests in the debating chamber in English and Gaelic.

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, The leaders of the main political parties in Scotland greeted The Queen before the ceremony.

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, Guards stood watch at the Scottish Parliament during the ceremony.

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, The Queen congratulated the Scottish parliament for being able to mark the new session safely in a "very trying period" and told MSPs they had a key role to "help create a better, healthier future for us all and engage with the people they represent, especially our young people".

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, Prince Charles and Camilla, The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, attended the ceremony before leaving by helicopter.

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, In her address, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon thanked The Queen for being a "steadfast friend of our parliament since its establishment in 1999".