General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, 1977

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The Queen (wearing Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara and the Coronation Necklace and Earrings) presides over the Opening of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in the Church Assembly Hall of St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh on this day in 1977, while on a visit to Scotland to celebrate her Silver Jubilee. In her Speech, the Queen said:

Much has been achieved but continued courage and perseverance are called for! And let us always remember that along with the difficulties there are great advantages. These islands remain rich in material resources as new discoveries of coal, gas and oil have shown us. But these are finite and we must use them well and wisely.But the greatest strength of any nation is in its human and spiritual resources. Christians everywhere are sustained and inspired by the ideal of the brotherhood of man and the commandment to love one another. They can set an example of service and self-sacrifice, of reconciliation and unity, so as to make the world a better place for all.

For the people of this country which has achieved so much, there remains a powerful underlying sense of community and of direct links with generations past and still to come. In this fast-changing temporal world, it is the task of the Church, by fresh inspiration and new understanding, to awaken and renew this sense of common stewardship. Over the centuries perhaps the greatest moments in the history of our country have been in times of great adversity when the nation has stood alone, when we have been faced by the threat of more powerful material forces, but have been sustained by the strength of our own moral and spiritual conviction. Under God’s will, we can still achieve that truer greatness in our own generation. For it is part of the Christian message that ‘time and chance happeneth to all men’. Opportunity lies with each and every generation in the circumstances of its day provided it acts with faith, courage and perseverance.”

The Duke of Cambridge was appointed as the Lord High Commissioner to represent the Sovereign at this year’s General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which was cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic.

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The previous evening, the Queen (in the Girls of Great Britain & Ireland Tiara) and Duke of Edinburgh hosted a Banquet to celebrate the Silver Jubilee at Edinburgh Castle, joined by the Queen Mother (wearing the Greville Tiara, Queen Alexandra’s Wedding Necklace, and the Order of the Thistle) and the Prince of Wales. Lord Kirkhill, Minister of State for Scotland, and Lady Kirkhill and the Secretary of State for Scotland and Mrs Millan were also present.

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