His Majesty The King's reply to the motion of Condolence at Scottish Parliament
Published
I know that the Scottish Parliament and the people of Scotland share with me a profound sense of grief at the death of my beloved mother.
Presiding Officer, First Minister, Party Leaders and Members of the Scottish Parliament:
I know that the Scottish Parliament and the people of Scotland share with me a profound sense of grief at the death of my beloved mother. Through all the years of her reign, The Queen, like so many generations of our family before her, found in the hills of this land, and in the hearts of its people, a haven and a home.
My mother felt, as I do, the greatest admiration for the Scottish people, for their magnificent achievements and their indomitable spirit. And it was the greatest comfort for her to know, in turn, the true affection in which she was held. The knowledge of that deep and abiding bond must be to us a solace as we mourn the end of a life of incomparable service.
If I might paraphrase the words of the great Robert Burns, my dear mother was:
The friend of man, the friend of truth;
The friend of age, and guide of youth:
Few hearts like hers, with virtue warm’d,
Few heads with knowledge so inform’d:
While still very young, The Queen pledged herself to serve her country and her people and to maintain the principles of constitutional government. As we now mark, with gratitude, a promise most faithfully fulfilled, I am determined, with God’s help and with yours, to follow that inspiring example.
The title of Duke of Rothesay, and the other Scottish titles which I have had the honour to carry for so long, I now pass to my elder son, William, who I know will be as proud as I have been to bear the symbols of this ancient Kingdom.
I take up my new duties with thankfulness for all that Scotland has given me, with resolve to seek always the welfare of our country and its people, and with wholehearted trust in your goodwill and good counsel as we take forward that task together.
Related content
A speech by The Queen Consort at the University of Aberdeen
Ladies and Gentlemen, you have a great past: 5 Nobel Laureates and 525 years of academic excellence. Your future, I know, will be greater still and, as your very proud...
The King’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour) will take place on 17 June 2023
The Queen Consort's message to mark 80 years of BFBS
You have done a huge amount to foster a true and profound sense of community amongst all those connected with the military family.
A message of condolence from The King following the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
I remember with fondness my meeting with His Holiness during my visit to the Vatican in 2009.
The King's Christmas Broadcast 2022
Christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones. We feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each...
A statement from Buckingham Palace and Ngozi Fulani, Founder of Sistah Space
A speech by His Majesty The King at the Conferral of City Status, Wrexham
As you celebrate your new-found status for this very special part of the world, nothing could give me greater pleasure than to say llongyfarchiadau and to wish you every...
A speech by His Majesty The King at the Conferral of City Status, Wrexham
Boneddigion a boneddigesau, Mr Mayor, Leader of the Council, Chief Executive, Ladies and Gentlemen, My wife and I are absolutely delighted to be with you in Wrexham today to...
A speech by The Queen Consort at a ‘Violence Against Women and Girls’ Reception at Buckingham Palace
We are uniting today to confront, rightly, what has rightly been called a global pandemic of violence against women. Faced with such challenges, it can be hard to know what...
The Prince and Princess of Wales visit Boston for the 2022 Earthshot Prize Awards
28 November 2022Explore the Royal Archives
A message of condolence from The King to the President of Indonesia following the earthquake in Cianjur
I particularly wanted to send my most heartfelt thoughts and condolences to all those who have been affected.
A message from The King to the Governor of New South Wales regarding the ongoing flooding
I would be most grateful if you would pass on my thanks and admiration to those who have once again come to the rescue and to those already providing invaluable assistance in...
A speech by The King at the State Banquet of the State Visit of the President of the Republic of South Africa
South Africa, like the Commonwealth, has always been a part of my life... It is therefore particularly moving and special that you are our guest on this, the first State Visit...