Nicola Sturgeon recalls the moment her husband saved one of the Queen's corgis from electrocution

The Scottish First Minister also paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II for being "the anchor of our nation" recalling the personal history of the visit by Balmoral

Nicola Sturgeon meets King Charles III (

Image: Reuters)

Nicola Sturgeon recalls the moment her husband saved one of the Queen's corgis from electrocution before a dinner party at Balmoral.

The Scottish First Minister's anecdote came as she delivered a motion of condolence at Holyrood in honor of the late monarch in the presence of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla.

After observing a two-minute silence during a special sitting of the Scottish Parliament, Ms Sturgeon paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, saying she was 'the anchor of our nation'.

"Most of us just can't remember life without the queen," she told MSPs.

But like MPs and former prime ministers at Westminster last week, Ms Sturgeon recalled personal stories of her time with the monarch, including ‘a rather tense moment’ before dinner at Balmoral where the former’s husband minister, Peter Murrell, noticed a living room light flickering on and off.

"Much to my concern - it was after all in Her Majesty's presence - my husband suddenly jumped up and rushed across the room," she said.

"Peter had spotted the cause of the flickering light - one of the queen's young corgis, a beautiful pup named Sandy, was eating through a light switch.

“Fortunately, tragedy was averted and Sandy emerged unscathed, but not before her mistress gave her a nod. »

Ms Sturgeon also said it was her "solemn duty and my honour" to present the motion of condolence on Monday, adding: "For the whole country, this is a time of deep sadness.

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"While the grief of the nation is for a queen, that of the royal family is for their beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother."

The late queen pictured with one of her corgis in February 2022 (

Picture:

POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

In his own comments, the new King said: "I know the Scottish Parliament and the people of Scotland share with me a deep sense of grief at the death of my beloved mother.

"During all the years of her reign, the Queen, like so many generations of our family before her, has found in the hills of this land and in the hearts of its inhabitants, a refuge and a home."

He continued, "If I may paraphrase the words of the great Robert Burns, my dear mother was a...