The Queen has spoken publicly about her late husband for the first time since his death as she described ‘many happy memories’ they shared.

Queen Elizabeth spoke as she opened the new session of the Scottish Parliament, telling members (MSPs) about her and Prince Philip’s affinity for the nation.

She said: ‘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.

‘It is often said that it is the people that make a place, and there are few places where this is truer than in Scotland, as we have seen in recent times.’

This is the first time Her Majesty has officially spoken about her husband of 75 years since he died just two months before his 100th birthday.

The occasion seemed fitting to speak about the Duke of Edinburgh, who was educated at Gordonstoun, in Scotland, and who shared a deep love for the nation with his wife.

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On the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral in April, Buckingham Palace shared a photograph of him and the Queen at the top of the Coyles of Muick in 2003.

The post said this was the ‘private photograph’ the Queen wished to share with the world as she mourned.

Indeed, the couple’s annual trip to Balmoral Castle was previously said to be where the Queen is happiest.

‘I think Granny is the most happy there. I think she really, really loves the Highlands,’ Princess Eugenie said last year.

Her Majesty also explained how other members of her family feel about Scotland, citing Prince William’s stories about Scots helping each other during the pandemic.

She said: ‘Following my grandson’s time as Lord High Commissioner, Prince William has told me many heartening stories that he heard first hand of people and communities across Scotland uniting to protect and care for those who are isolated or vulnerable.’

The Queen went on to say the ‘eyes of the world’ would be on the UK during the upcoming 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, on November 1.

It comes after the Greens reached a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish National Party (SNP), leaving part of the UK under the leadership of the anti-climate change party for the first time ever.

Both the Greens and the SNP are pro-Scottish independence with the Greens previously calling the monarchy an ‘outdated’ and ‘discredited’ system which would ‘hold back’ an independent Scotland.

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