King Charles paid tribute to Scotland’s community champions as he officially opened the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament on Saturday.
The ceremonial event took place at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, where the monarch praised local heroes nominated by Members of the Scottish Parliament for their outstanding service to their communities.
The British royal family’s official Instagram account also shared a short video clip from the King’s speech.
“In his speech at the opening ceremony to mark the Seventh Session of the Scottish Parliament, The King spoke of the local heroes who represent the best of Scotland,” the caption read.
It added that the nominated heroes, who were recognised by MSPs for their “extraordinary commitment to their communities,” watched His Majesty’s speech from the chamber before meeting King Charles and Queen Camilla at a reception inside the Parliament building.
The ceremony celebrated Scottish heritage through musical performances, poetry readings and traditional pageantry. The Crown of Scotland, the Elizabeth Sword and the Parliament’s mace were also carried into the chamber in a formal procession before the King delivered his address.
During his speech, King Charles also called on leaders to protect Scotland’s “precious natural capital,” highlighting the close connection between the environment and people’s wellbeing.
“It has long been my most fundamental belief that the natural world and human communities are not competing interests, but deeply interwoven ones,” the King said.
He added that there is “an essential harmony between the health of our planet, the natural systems on which we depend and the health of the people that live upon the Earth.”
After the ceremony, King Charles and Queen Camilla met the nominated community champions at a reception, where they personally recognised their work and dedication.
