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| Queen salutes Scotland's vision | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Queen has paid tribute to the "pioneering spirit" of the Scots, as she marked the third session of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. | |
| In a speech which gave a nod to Scotland's new politics of minority government, Her Majesty said Holyrood was confidently moving forward. | |
| It was the Queen's first address to MSPs since the Scottish National Party took power in Scotland. | |
| The address was part of a series of events in and around the parliament. | |
| The festivities featured guests ranging from actor Sir Sean Connery to the Scots rock band Idlewild. | |
| Meanwhile, police reviewed security arrangements in the light of the attempted bomb attacks in London. | |
| Today, the Scottish Parliament confidently moves into its third parliamentary session and places a firm focus on the future while drawing confidence and strength from your illustrious past Her Majesty the Queen | |
| The Lothian and Borders force said it was working with others across the UK to ensure officers were ready for any contingency. | |
| Speaking to MSPs and other guests in the parliament's main chamber, the Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, said Scotland had a proud history. | |
| "As you move into your third parliamentary session and a new form of politics, I'm confident that the Scottish people will be at the heart of the business of this session as you keep on walking with them and together build a better and more sustainable future for this great land," she said. | |
| The Queen said that, with each visit to Holyrood, she had found a different parliament. | |
| 'Firm focus' | |
| "In 1999 it was a newly established body, one full of hope, vision and perhaps what might now with hindsight seem unrealistic expectations." | |
| She continued: "I recall the parliament of 2003. A second parliament which gained worldwide respect for its innovative methods at a time of disengagement between legislatures and the citizen." | |
| "The Scottish Parliament proved that the pioneering spirit of the Scots was alive and well," said Her Majesty. | |
| "Today, the Scottish Parliament confidently moves into its third parliamentary session and places a firm focus on the future while drawing confidence and strength from your illustrious past." | |
| The Queen's address was followed by the traditional "riding" event, a procession of 1,200 politicians, performers and members of the public along Edinburgh's Royal Mile. | |
| The "picnic at the parliament" event outside the Holyrood building will also feature musical acts including the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Salsa Celtica and Keith Jack, the Dalkeith teenager who made it to the final of the BBC's Any Dream Will Do competition to star as Joseph in London's west end. | The "picnic at the parliament" event outside the Holyrood building will also feature musical acts including the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Salsa Celtica and Keith Jack, the Dalkeith teenager who made it to the final of the BBC's Any Dream Will Do competition to star as Joseph in London's west end. |