The First Minister described how Peter Murrell prevented the dog, a puppy called Sandy, from chewing through a lamp switch when a light started to flicker at Balmoral as she moved a motion of sympathy in memory of the late queen.
My husband abruptly sprung up and dashed across the floor, much to my great alarm—he was after all in Her Majesty’s presence. Peter had discovered what was causing the light to flicker.
One of the young Corgis owned by the Queen, a lovely puppy named Sandy, was eating through a light switch.
‘Thankfully, tragedy was averted and Sandy emerged unscathed, though not before a ticking off from his mistress.’
Today, the First Minister told of how her husband Peter Murrell stopped the dog, a puppy named Sandy, from chewing through a lamp switch after a light began to flicker at Balmoral
Responding to a motion of condolence tabled as the Scottish Parliament, Charles paid tribute to his late mother, who he said he was “determined” to emulate in her service to the country
After the anecdote, Ms Sturgeon said Scotland ‘stands ready’ to support the new King as he continues his mother’s legacy of public service.
‘We are honoured by the presence today of His Majesty, King Charles III, and The Queen Consort,’ she said.
‘Your Majesty, we stand ready to support you, as you continue your own life of service – and as you build on the extraordinary legacy of your beloved mother, our Queen.
‘Queen Elizabeth, Queen of Scots – we are grateful for her life. May She now rest in peace.’
Ms Sturgeon described the late monarch in her speech as the “anchor of our nation”.
“In an ever changing and often turbulent world, Her Majesty has been our constant,” the First Minister said.
Ms Sturgeon said Scotland ‘stands ready’ to support the new King as he continues his mother’s legacy of public service
Charles paid tribute to his late mother, who he said he was “determined” to emulate in her service to the country
Ms Sturgeon also assured the new King he would have the support of Scotland in carrying on the legacy of his mother.
“Scotland “stands ready” to support King Charles III as he continues his mother’s legacy of public service, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
“We are honoured by the presence today of His Majesty, King Charles III, and the Queen Consort,” she said.
Charles and Ms Sturgeon shaking hands before the session
“Your Majesty, we stand ready to support you, as you continue your own life of service – and as you build on the extraordinary legacy of your beloved mother, our Queen.
“Queen Elizabeth, Queen of Scots – we are grateful for her life.
“May she now rest in peace.”
Charles paid tribute to his late mother, who he said he was “determined” to emulate in her service to the country.
Addressing assembled MSPs, former first ministers, presiding officers and leading figures from Scottish civil society, the new King quoted from the famed Scottish poet as he praised his mother’s life of “incomparable service”.
“If I might paraphrase the words of the great Robert Burns, my dear mother was the friend of man, the friend of truth, the friend of age and guide of youth,” he said.
“Few hearts like her with virtue warmed, few heads with knowledge so informed.”
The quote was taken from Burns’ Epitaph On My Own Friend.
Charles went on to say: “While still very young, the Queen pledged herself to serve her country and her people and to maintain the principles of constitutional government.
“As we now mark with gratitude a promise most faithfully fulfilled, I am determined with God’s help and with yours to follow that inspiring example.”