The Queen looked jubilant in a turquoise coat and matching hat as she joined her daughter Princess Anne at the University of Edinburgh today.
The monarch, 95, and Princess Royal, 70, spoke to staff and students about their pioneering research into ways to reverse the effects of climate change across planetary health, oceans, sustainable food systems and earth observation, ahead of COP26 in Glasgow later this year.
The Princess Royal has been Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh since 2011 – a role previously held by The Duke of Edinburgh, who became Chancellor in 1953.
The Queen looked jubilant in a turquoise coat and matching hat as she joined her daughter Princess Anne at the University of Edinburgh today
Monarch, 95, and Princess Royal, 70, spoke to staff and students about their pioneering research into ways to reverse the effects of climate change across planetary health, oceans, sustainable food systems and earth observation, ahead of COP26 in Glasgow later this year
Princess Royal has been Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh since 2011 – a role previously held by The Duke of Edinburgh, who became Chancellor in 1953. The Queen and Anne unveil a plaque commemorating their visit
Her Majesty and Her Royal Highness also heard from academics about the newly-launched Edinburgh Earth Initiative, which will be a focal point for the University’s teaching and research on climate.
Opting for her signature colour-block style, The Queen paired black shoes with knee length turquoise dress and matching hat, complete with pretty feather detail.
As always, she carried a handbag with her, and adding white gloves to the look.
Anne chose a simple neutral look, adding a A-line brown skirt to a striped blazer.
As well as supporting the creation of global partnerships to deliver climate solutions, it will also offer scholarship opportunities for students from communities most at risk from climate change, to better investigate ways to combat its effects.
At the end of the visit, Her Majesty and Her Royal Highness met representatives from the Children’s Parliament who explained their recent contribution to Scotland’s Climate Assembly, which was supported by the ECCI.
Her Majesty and Her Royal Highness also heard from academics about the newly-launched Edinburgh Earth Initiative, which will be a focal point for the University’s teaching and research on climate.
Opting for her signature colour-block style, The Queen paired black shoes with knee length turquoise dress and matching hat, complete with pretty feather detail. As always, she carried a handbag with her, and adding white gloves to the look
The children presented The Queen with two trees that will be planted as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy, a UK-wide tree planting initiative to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee next year.
The visit to the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute marks the final engagement of this year’s Royal Week, which has seen Her Majesty undertake a range of engagements celebrating Scottish community, innovation and history.
On Wednesday, the Queen was radiant in a vibrant blue coat and matching hat as she joined Princess Anne to visit an outdoor children’s centre in Glasgow.
The monarch beamed as she arrived alongside her daughter at The Children’s Wood Project to learn about the work of the outdoor community initiative, which aims to encourage a happy, healthy and resilient community through access to green space and outdoor learning.
The unloved patch of ground has been transformed into a tree-covered meadow space where green-fingered residents grow produce, local schools hold outdoor lessons and residents without gardens can relax.
At the end of the visit, Her Majesty and Her Royal Highness met representatives from the Children’s Parliament who explained their recent contribution to Scotland’s Climate Assembly, which was supported by the ECCI
The royal appeared in high spirits and could be seen beaming from ear-to-ear during the engagement, where she met with children roasting marshmallows and received a jar of honey from a young royal fan.
Keen gardener Quinton Cutts commented on the community spirit during lockdown. He said ‘nobody’s stolen my beans’ as he looked at his young plants.
The Queen quipped ‘perhaps if you had some beans’, but then looking down at some produce beginning to ripen she added: ‘That’s tempting too, the strawberries.’
On Tuesday she met Nicola Sturgeon as her week-long trip to protect the Union continued, and told the First Minister she was delighted to be back in Scotland for the first time since Prince Philip died.
The visit comes on Princess Diana’s 60th birthday, which has seen Prince Harry fly to London from his home in California to join Prince William to unveil a statue of the late royal.
Harry and William have been working together on the project since 2017 – but Sussex confidante Omid Scobie has said they both vehemently believe today is about their mother – and not them. He said: ‘What we will see is two brothers being professional in a moment that is not about them. This is going to be a moment we see them put everything to one side. We will just see professionalism and nothing else’.
The brothers are said to have barely spoken and have an ‘incredibly strained’ relationship after two years of rows over Harry’s wife and her alleged treatment of staff, the couple’s decision to emigrate to America and the tonnes of ‘truth bombs’ the Sussexes have dropped in TV interviews watched by tens of millions of people around the world.
Harry and Meghan believe they were abandoned by the Royal Family, even accusing them of racism towards Archie and ignoring their cries for help when the Duchess of Sussex felt lonely and suicidal while pregnant in London.
But sources close to their uncle Earl Spencer, who will also attend today’s statue unveiling, have said that there is a hope that the celebration of their mother’s life and legacy will bring them together again. The brothers are also set to have a private meeting after the ceremony.