University of Aberdeen to give royal welcome to The Queen

Her Majesty The Queen will address The Scottish Parliament when it meets at the University of Aberdeen’s King’s College Conference Centre on Tuesday, May 28, 2002, it was announced by Buckingham Palace today ().

This will be the first time the Queen has formally addressed the Parliament while it is sitting. She performed the official opening ceremony in Edinburgh on July 1, 1999. Her Majesty will be accompanied during the visit by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

The Parliament has been brought to Aberdeen as a result of a partnership between the University and the City of Aberdeen. It will sit in Aberdeen from 28-30 May 2002 when the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland meets on the Mound, the Parliament’s usual home in Edinburgh.

Lord Wilson of Tillyorn, the University’s Chancellor, said: “It will be a great honour to welcome Her Majesty to King’s College and the City in this her Golden Jubilee Year. Her visit to the Scottish Parliament meeting in Aberdeen is particularly welcome to us because it highlights the deep and affectionate link between the University of Aberdeen and the Royal family.”

Professor C Duncan Rice, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, said: “This is wonderful news. I would like to send the warmest of invitations to the North-east public including graduates, schools, and students to mark May 28 in their diaries and to make the effort to come to our beautiful campus at King’s College to welcome Her Majesty in this special year.”

Further details on opportunities for public viewing at King’s College will be issued through the media nearer the event. All media arrangements and Royal rota accreditation for the visit will be managed by The Scottish Executive and The Scottish Parliament.