Queen talks of 'happy memories' of Perth as she receives keys to city

Royal visit: The Queen has completed a tour of Scotland as part of the Diamond Jubilee.SWNS

The Queen has received the keys to the city of Perth as she concludes her week-long Scotland visit.

Crowds gathered to watch the ceremony as Perth's provost Elizabeth Grant gave the keys to Her Majesty.

The Duke of Edinburgh was also given the freedom of the city.

Addressing the crowd the Queen said she had many happy memories of being in Perth including the opening of the Queen's Bridge in 1960 and more recently Perth Concert Hall.

Her Majesty said she took "great pleasure" in visiting the city at the end of her tour of Scotland.

She said: "I would like to congratulate the people of Perth on the restoration of its city status, which is an accolade well earned."

She also referred to Perth being the ancient capital of Scotland and the crowing place of Scottish Kings.

Her speech also mentioned that Scotland had played a special part in the lives of her family.

After the visit to Perth the royal couple were then to visit the Black Watch regimental museum.

The Queen Mother was colonel-in-chief of what is recognised as the best known Scottish regiment for 65 years, until her death in 2002.

The Queen is traditionally in Scotland for Royal Week, but this year it has incorporated celebrations marking her 60 years on the throne.

On Monday she attended a traditional keys ceremony in Edinburgh. While in the capital the Queen held a garden party for 8000 people and gave honours to those on her New Year's list.

A thanksgiving service was attended by the Queen and the Duke on Wednesday at Glasgow Cathedral. That event was followed by a visit to George Square in the centre of Glasgow.

During a ceremony in Edinburgh on Thursday the Queen appointed her grandson Prince William to the Order of the Thistle.

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