NICOLA Sturgeon has hailed the Queen’s “selfless commitment to duty” amid the Platinum Jubilee weekend.
The First Minister and her husband Peter Murrell attended the National Service of Thanksgiving at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday, marking the monarch’s 70th year on the throne.
Ahead of the appearance, Sturgeon spoke of how she benefitted from the Queen’s “knowledge and wisdom” during their conversations.
"I like her a lot - I have deep respect for her as many people do,” the SNP chief said.
"The context of those conversations are rightly by convention completely private and confidential and I won't breach that.
"But I think it is fair to say that that opportunity to talk with her, to benefit from her knowledge, her wisdom and perhaps above all the completely unique perspective she has on modern world history, is something that I deeply value and will always really treasure."
The First Minister added that as the head of state for 70 years, the Queen has had a “front row seat” to many key historical moments.
“The knowledge that gives her, the wisdom that gives her, the perspective that gives her is much more valuable in these conversations then any specific thing that she will perhaps say.”
On the issue of whether an independent Scotland would retain the monarchy, Sturgeon confirmed that she supports the Queen and her successors remaining head of state.
“It is the policy of my party as I think you well know,” she told the BBC – adding that Scotland would also remain part of the Commonwealth.
She went on: "I actually don't think that this weekend is the time to really be talking about these things."
Later on Friday, the First Minister was among the many guests at the St Paul’s service.
Tributes will be paid to the Queen’s “70 years of faithful and dedicated service” as 2000 people including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Cabinet ministers, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and former prime ministers fill the historic church.
Public service is the theme at the heart of the religious event, with 400 people who are recipients of honours, including NHS and key workers who were recognised for their work during the pandemic, invited.
Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie were booed as they entered the event.
