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King urges MSPs to help build a 'fair and prosperous society'
The ceremony includes a royal address, a First Minister response and performances by youth and cultural groups marking anniversaries.
On Saturday, King Charles III formally opened the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, with Queen Camilla attending the ceremony. The event featured pageantry and music to inaugurate the new legislative session.
Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson delivered opening remarks to an audience including 65 new MSPs elected last month. Holyrood has stood as a "powerful expression of Scotland's democratic tradition" since its 1999 establishment.
Addressing the chamber, King Charles urged MSPs to help build a "fair and prosperous society" while revisiting environmental concerns. He warned the planet's climate is "changing dangerously" and biodiversity is being "seriously depleted."
First Minister John Swinney responded by advocating for cooperation, declaring that "new politics is, for us, the basis for a renewed hope." He urged the chamber to collectively improve citizens' lives and overcome challenges.
The procession included three Team Scotland athletes preparing for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next month. Guard of honour member Caitlin Davis, 20, from Cumbernauld, participated alongside other young people, showcasing the nation's future focus.