Queen Elizabeth II participated in the ceremonial opening of the Scottish Parliament on October 2, which began in Edinburgh where the royal mace, a symbol of royal authority, and the Crown of Scotland, were carried in procession, according to the Associated Press.
In her opening speech, the queen spoke about Prince Philip. In fact, the ceremony was the first time Queen Elizabeth opened the Scottish Parliament without Philip by her side her. “I have spoken before of my deep and abiding affection for this wonderful country and of the many happy memories Prince Philip and I always held of our time here,” she said, according to the Daily Mail. The royal family frequently visited Balmoral Castle in Scotland, a favorite residency for the family when on summer vacation.
Queen Elizabeth was joined by her son, Prince Charles, and his wife, Camilla Parker Bowles. While in England, they go by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, but in Scotland, they go by the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, per the Daily Mail. So, while the queen didn’t have Philip with her, she at least had family by her side.
