The Queen has spoken publicly for the first time about late husband Prince Philip as she described "many happy memories" they shared.
Her Majesty was speaking as she opened the new session of the Scottish Parliament and said she and the Duke of Edinburgh - who died in April - both had a "deep and abiding affection" for the country.
Philip, who died two months shy of his 100th birthday, had several connections to Scotland having graduated from Gordonstoun leading to his renowned awards scheme.
He and HM, 95, also enjoyed holidaying on the Balmoral Castle estate in Aberdeenshire throughout their 75 years of marriage.
Do you enjoy reading about the royal family? Sign up for all the best royal news from the Mirror here
The monarch was accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall - known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland.
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."
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon offered the parliament's "deep sympathy and shared sorrow at your loss" and thanked HM for being a "steadfast friend of our Parliament since its establishment in 1999".
The Queen also urged Scotland's MSPs to "help create a better, healthier future" by tackling the challenges of climate change ahead of the Cop26 conference.
She said as the country emerges from the "adverse and uncertain times" of the pandemic, there was an opportunity for "hope and optimism".
"The beginning of a new session is a time for renewal and fresh thinking, providing an opportunity to look to the future and our future generations.
"Next month, I will be attending Cop26 events in Glasgow.
"The eyes of the world will be on the United Kingdom - and Scotland in particular - as leaders come together to address the challenges of climate change.
"There is a key role for the Scottish Parliament, as with all parliaments, to help create a better, healthier future for us all, and to engage with the people they represent - especially our young people."
Speaking at Holyrood for the first time since the Philip's death, she added: "Today is also a day when we can celebrate those who have made an extraordinary contribution to the lives of other people in Scotland, locally or nationally during the Covid-19 pandemic."
The monarch, who has recently returned from her first break to Balmoral without Philip in some years, met party and parliamentary leaders in the garden lobby ahead of the ceremony in the debating chamber.
The ceremony began with the royal mace that sits at the front of the chamber and the Crown of Scotland being brought in.
Afterwards, the Queen, Charles and Camilla were due to meet Scots who have been recognised for their contribution to communities during the Covid-19 pandemic.
