Humza Yousaf is now officially the youngest leader in the nation and the first from a minority ethnic origin after being lawfully sworn in as Scotland’s sixth first minister.
After defeating opponents to become Nicola Sturgeon’s successor, the 37-year-old donned a sherwani as he took the oath of office during a ceremony at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
The declaration of loyalty to the King was administered by the Lord President in front of senior judges.
The Scottish National Party leader was then granted his official title of First Minister and Keeper of the Scottish Seal.
Humza Yousaf sworn in as Scotland First Minister
The seal allows the monarch to authorise official documents without having to sign each one.
As Keeper of the Scottish Seal, Mr Yousaf will have the authority to make decisions on behalf of the crown – effectively meaning the First Minister can lead the country with the support of the Scottish Parliament.
The ceremony comes after MSPs backed him to become Scotland’s next leader on Tuesday.
Mr Yousaf, who is also the first Muslim to lead a major UK party, can now begin to shape his government by selecting his Cabinet.
He has already confirmed that Shona Robison will be deputy first minister, while his leadership election rival Kate Forbes has turned down the post of rural affairs secretary.
The first minister has vowed to champion people who feel like they don’t belong and has recalled the racist abuse he has faced over the years.
In his acceptance speech, he told the MSPs: I’ve lost count of how many times my identity, my loyalty to Scotland – the only country I have ever and will ever call home – has been questioned over the years.
‘There was a time not that long ago when I felt I simply did not belong here.’
He went on to add that he hopes his election ‘sends a strong message to every single person out there who feels that they don’t belong’.
He said: ‘No matter what anyone says, no matter who you are, whether Scotland has been your home for a day or for 10 generations, no matter your ethnicity, no matter your gender, no matter your religion, no matter your sexual orientation, your transgender identity or disability, this is your home and don’t let anyone ever tell you that you do not belong.’