Queen set to address MSPs as parliament marks anniversary

Published on Friday 3 April 2009 09:45

THE Queen is to mark the tenth anniversary of the Scottish Parliament with an address to MSPs exactly a decade after she attended its official opening.

Holyrood bosses today announced the Queen would visit the parliament on Wednesday, July 1.

After a short ceremonial event in the debating chamber, she will meet the "July 1 babies" – Scottish children born on the day the parliament was opened who have been invited to join the birthday celebrations.

Events to mark the tenth anniversary are being kept deliberately low-key.

There will be no parade or "riding" as there was at the opening in 1999.

The July 1 event will be the Queen's sixth visit to the parliament. As well the official opening, she addressed MSPs when they met in Aberdeen in May 2002, paid a short visit at the start of the second session in June 2003, attended the opening of the Holyrood building in October 2004 and marked the start of the third session in June 2007.

Details of the latest visit have not yet been finalised, but if it follows recent patterns it is likely to involve short speeches from the Queen, the Presiding Officer and First Minister and possibly a musical recital.

Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson said: "This is a special day for our July 1 babies and the Scottish Parliament. We are delighted Her Majesty will be able to join us as we mark our tenth birthdays."

He said there would be a programme of activities for the ten-year-olds, their siblings, parents and guardians, MSPs, their families and guests.

Two-thirds of the 163 youngsters born throughout Scotland on July 1, 1999, have already been invited to the occasion.

There were 13 children born in Edinburgh on the day – more than any other Scottish city – and all but four have been traced.

Mr Fergusson said: "The response from the ten-year-olds, their families and the public has been encouraging."

The parliament today also announced two further events to add to the programme.

Former SNP MSP Winnie Ewing – who, as the oldest member, took the chair at the first sitting and announced the Scottish Parliament had been "reconvened" – will unveil a portrait of herself on May 12.

The painting by the late artist David Donaldson will be hung outside the Members' Restaurant.

On June 26, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are to host a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for all MSPs.

Tour details were also unveiled for a travelling exhibition about people's experience of the parliament over the decade.