Queen Elizabeth's Meeting with Scotland's First Minister Came amid a Major Announcement

Mar. 15, 2025

On Wednesday, the 96-year-old monarch received the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, during an audience at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

The Queen always meets with the first minister during her Holyrood Week, however, the meeting came less than 24 hours after Sturgeon announced plans for parliament to hold a second Scotland independence referendum, tentatively scheduled for October 19, 2023.

If it is passed, Scotland would break away from the U.K. and become an independent country. However, they would likely retain the Queen as Head of State. After becoming an independent country, Scotland would have to hold another vote to transition from a monarchy to a republic.

Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The first referendum on Scottish independence was held in September 2014, but only 44.7% voted for it to pass.

Queen Elizabethalso welcomed Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament Alison Johnstone at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on Wednesday.

Although she has received audiences at her Windsor Castle home in the past week, the outing on Monday marked her first public appearance since her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in early June. The Queen was absent from all five days of Royal Ascot earlier this month — one of her go-to events — amid her ongoing mobility issues.

Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Queen Elizabeth.Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

On Tuesday, the Queen made another public appearance to watch amilitary paradein the garden of Holyroodhouse.

The Armed Forces Act of Loyalty Parade paid tribute to the Queen as head of the Armed Forces in Scotland and marked her Platinum Jubilee.

source: people.com