Queen Elizabeth tells lawmakers ‘eyes of the world’ will be on Scotland during climate summit

Queen Elizabeth II spoke before the Scottish Parliament on Saturday, saying that the “eyes of the world” would be on the country later this month as it hosts the United Nations climate summit, Reuters reported.

“The eyes of the world will be on the United Kingdom — and Scotland in particular — as leaders come together to address the challenges of climate change,” the queen said in prepared remarks as she opened a new parliamentary session for the first time without her husband, Prince Philip, who died in April, The Associated Press reported.

“There is a key role for the Scottish Parliament, as with all parliaments, to help create a better, healthier future for us all, and to engage with the people they represent, especially our young people,” she added, according to Reuters.

The queen is slated to attend the U.N. Climate Change Conference of the Parties, a 12-day summit that will start on Oct. 31. The summit seeks to hear pledges from countries over how they will reduce warming to a target of 1.5 Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.

A group of countries, including Britain, have already submitted plans that would limit warming to the targeted 1.5 Celsius goal.

Elizabeth, who was joined by Prince Charles and his wife, also took the time during her prepared remarks in front of the parliamentary session to speak about her “deep and abiding affection” for Scotland.

“I have spoken before of my deep and abiding affection for this wonderful country and of the many happy memories Prince Philip and I always held of our time here,” said the queen, who has an estate in the country, according to the AP.

The remarks come as the country may soon decide on whether the nation remains a part of the United Kingdom. Scotland’s parliamentary contains a pro-independence majority and leaders are seeking to hold an independence referendum, Reuters reported.