King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived in the Scottish capital to conduct royal engagements to celebrate Holyrood Week.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived in the Scottish capital for ‘Holyrood Week’ also known as ‘Royal Week’ in Scotland to celebrate Scottish culture, achievements, and people who have contributed greatly to the community.
The engagements normally take place from the end of June to the beginning of July – however, this week will be shorter than in previous years, and last from July 2-5, as the General Election has meant the Royal Family has postponed any engagements “which may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign”.
The King will begin his official engagements in Scotland by being welcomed into the city. He will inspect a guard of honour in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Gardens, and then he will attend the Ceremony of the Keys, a unique engagement where he will be presented with the keys to the city.
Then an Investiture will take place at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, which recognises Scottish residents who have made a significant impact to their society. This is followed by a celebration hosted by the Queen to promote Scottish literacy, and a Garden Party where the King and Queen will also be accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
On July 3, the King, accompanied by Prince William and The Duchess of Edinburgh, will attend the Thistle Service at St Giles’ Cathedral, for the installation of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh to the Order of The Thistle.
This week, the King and Queen will also be part of a huge celebration to mark the 900th anniversary of the city of Edinburgh.
King Charles inspects bandsmen
During an inspection, King Charles is saluted by a member of the Pipes and Drums 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Charles saluted by a member of the Pipes and Drums 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland (Image: Getty)
King Charles wears a blue suit and a blue tie with the Scottish flag (Image: Getty)
King Charles receives the keys to the City of Edinburgh
King Charles has officially received the keys to the city of Edinburgh from Lord Provost Councillor Robert Aldridge who welcomes His Majesty formally and pledges the city’s loyalty.
The great key of the city is placed on red velvet cushion for the King.
The Ceremony of the Keys is being held on the forecourt of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
King Charles arrives in Edinburgh (Image: PA)
King Charles is being presented with the key to the city (Image: PA)
King Charles has arrived at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
The reigning Monarch has arrived at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh!
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Soldiers of the Royal Regiment of Scotland prepare for King’s arrival
Soldiers of the Royal Regiment of Scotland prepare for the King’s arrival, ahead of the Ceremony of the Keys on the forecourt of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Soldiers prepare for King’s arrival (Image: Getty)
Soldiers prepare for King’s arrival (Image: PA)
The Guard of Honour is forming ahead of the King’s arrival
The Guard of Honour will be provided by Balaklava Company, 5 Scots.
Music will be provided by The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and Pipes and Drums of 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Also on Parade will be the Palace Guard found by Balaklava Company, 5 SCOTS, The King’s Bodyguard Scotland (Royal Company of Archers) and the High Constables of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Today marks the start of the Royal Week (also known as Holyrood Week) at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
It’s slightly scaled back this year due to the GE – but there’s still a number of events, including a Garden Party this afternoon pic.twitter.com/B1gi2iPUvl
— Emily Ferguson (@emsferg) July 2, 2024
Royal Week is ‘slightly scaled back this year’
Royal Week is “slightly scaled back this year” because of the General Election, states the Daily Express Royal Editor, Emily Ferguson – but there’s still a “number of events including a Garden Party”.
Today marks the start of the Royal Week (also known as Holyrood Week) at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
It’s slightly scaled back this year due to the GE – but there’s still a number of events, including a Garden Party this afternoon pic.twitter.com/B1gi2iPUvl
— Emily Ferguson (@emsferg) July 2, 2024
in 7 hours10:38 Hanisha Sethi
What is the Ceremony of the Keys?
The Ceremony of the Keys will take place in the Gardens of The Palace of Holyroodhouse.
His Majesty will meet Service Chiefs before receiving a Royal Salute and inspecting the Balaklava Company, 5 SCOTS Guard of Honour.
The Lord Provost will then present the Keys to the City of Edinburgh to His Majesty who will return them for safekeeping.
It involves the monarch being giventhe keys of the city and welcomed to ‘your ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland’.The monarch will be offered the keys, and tradition dictates that the King then returns them, entrusting their safekeeping to Edinburgh’s elected officials.
What is happening today?
On July 2, King Charles and Queen Camilla will arrive in Edinburgh and participate in the following:
– The traditional Ceremony of the Keys which is held in the Gardens of The Palace of Holyroodhouse (marking the start of Holyrood Week)
– The King will hold an Investiture – the event recognises Scottish residents who have made a significant contribution to society
– Queen Camilla will host a reception to celebrate those who work to promote Scottish literacy
-Their Majesties will be joined by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to host a Garden Party
The Palace of Holyroodhouse (Image: Getty)
What is Holyrood Week?
Every year, the reigning Monarch spends a week visiting Scotland and hosting gatherings at the Palace of Holyrood to celebrate Scottish culture, achievements and people who have contributed greatly to their community.
Known in Scotland as ‘Royal Week’, the visit normally takes place from the end of June to the beginning of July. This year, the King and Queen will arrive in Scotland today (June 2) and stay until June 5.
The week always begins on the forecourt of Holyrood Palace with an unusual ceremony called Ceremony of the Keys -where the King is officially welcomed into the city of Edinburgh.
Events will include an Investiture, a Garden Party, promoting Scottish literacy and a huge celebration for the 900th anniversary of the city of Edinburgh.
The Palace Of Holyrood House In Edinburgh (Image: Getty)
