A royal appointment for children born the same day as Holyrood

Published on Wednesday 1 July 2009 21:59

THE main focus of the Scottish Parliament's birthday celebrations were the children who were born on 1 July, 1999 – the day it reconvened after almost 300 years.

In total, 143 of the 163 children born in Scotland that day attended – of the other 20, one had died and the others proved impossible to contact.

Most of them still lived in Scotland, but some had travelled hundreds of miles to mark their own and Scotland's special day.

Chloe McDonald, from Ontario, Canada, was introduced to the Queen when Her Majesty was taken to see the youngsters while they were creating a huge collage of their photographs.

"I was really excited that I got to meet the Queen in person. She is a very interesting person," said Chloe, who was celebrating Canada Day. Her family left Scotland last year.

She said: "They have fireworks tonight, and it was 35C when I left, but I'd rather be here. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Michael Malcolm, originally from Inverness, moved to Germany five years ago.

He said: "I've not been back in years. I'm happy because I got to meet the Queen and stay with my cousin in Edinburgh."

The Queen spent about 20 minutes meeting the children. She laughed when one, Geordan Grant, from Aberdeen, managed to sneak a close-up photograph of her on one of the disposable cameras which were given to the children by the parliament.

Grant Hill, from Glasgow, was given some advice from the Queen as she inspected his craftwork. He said: "She said I should keep working hard. Then she wished me happy birthday."

There was enormous excitement among the children who got to speak to the Queen.

Laurence Callaghan, from Bellshill near Glasgow, asked her if she owned his local hospital, named in her honour.

Carla Whiteford, from Glasgow, said: "She was not at all like I expected, very different from the television."

But the importance of the parliament's birthday was also special. Fiona Scott, of Motherwell, said: "When I received the invitation I was so excited I jumped around the house."

Jake Porter, of Dundee, said: "I am so proud to have been born on the same day as our parliament."