Queen Meets with Scottish First Minister Amid Independence Referendum Plans

Queen Elizabeth II, at 96 years old, is currently on a week-long visit to Scotland, where she has been engaging in meetings with various leaders of the nation.

This visit comes at a time when the possibility of a significant change looms over Scotland.

During an audience on Wednesday, the Queen met with Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, at the Palace of Holyrood House in Edinburgh.

It is customary for the Queen to meet with the First Minister during her Holyrood week, but this particular encounter took place less than 24 hours after Sturgeon outlined plans for Parliament to call a second Scottish independence referendum.

Right from the start of the meeting, the Queen broke the ice with Nicola Sturgeon by discussing one of her lifelong passions – premium whisky.

With a smile on her face, the 96-year-old monarch shook hands with the leader of the Scottish National Party, who had just announced plans for another independence referendum in October 2023.

Whether the two leaders delved into the political matters that would shape Scotland as a sovereign state outside of the United Kingdom remains uncertain.

Dressed in a pink-toned floral dress and her signature pearls, the Queen began the audience by heading straight for a table adorned with traditional Scottish gifts.

Sturgeon took the opportunity to explain each present to the monarch, who seemed particularly intrigued by a limited-edition bottle of Johnny Walker Blue Label whisky, worth £150.

It is widely known that Her Majesty has always enjoyed a glass of Scottish whisky, often opting for Royal Loch Nagar when staying at her Highlands Retreat in Balmoral Castle.

She graciously accepted a specially-made tartan blanket from Sturgeon, considering it a nice addition, along with a framed graphic.

During the exchange, the Queen could be heard chuckling with Sturgeon, indicating that she remains in high spirits despite her ongoing mobility issues.

Following the photo session, the two leaders were left alone to have a private conversation, as is customary during Her Majesty's audiences.

However, in the released snapshot, the Queen was not seen standing, but rather leaning on a light walking stick, which she has relied on during several recent appearances.

Observant Royal Watchers also noticed a purple discoloration on the back of her hand, raising concerns.

This is not the first time that the Queen has been photographed with noticeably purple hands.

Similar observations were made last November during an audience at Windsor Castle with former Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nick Carter.

In 2019, she also had marked hands in an official photograph of her meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah, Queen Rainier, and their son, Crown Prince Hussein.

Dr. J Verma of the Shakespeare Medical Centre explained that there could be several reasons for this condition, including a lack of circulation, frail skin, exposed veins, bruising, or a leakage of blood to the tissue beneath the skin causing discoloration.

Cyanosis, a condition caused by insufficient oxygen in the blood, could also be a factor, especially if the Queen has recently experienced a minor health issue.

Today's appearance by the Queen follows her journey to Scotland on Monday, accompanied by other members of the royal family, for their annual week of engagements in the country.

Her Majesty traveled overnight by royal train to Edinburgh, commencing her visit with the historic Ceremony of the Keys on Monday.

During this ceremony, the Queen is presented with the keys to the city of Edinburgh, symbolizing her welcome to the ancient and hereditary Kingdom of Scotland.

Although she has received audiences at her Windsor Castle residence in the past week, this outing marked her first public appearance since her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in early June.

Notably, the Queen was absent from all five days of Royal Ascot earlier this month, an event she typically attends, due to her ongoing mobility issues.

On Tuesday, the Queen made yet another public appearance, attending a military parade in the gardens of Holyrood House.

The parade, known as the Armed Forces' Act of Loyalty, paid tribute to the Queen as the Head of the Armed Forces in Scotland and commemorated her Platinum Jubilee.