King Charles has taken part in the ancient Ceremony of the Keys in Edinburgh today as he begins the traditional Royal Week in Scotland based at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
King Charles III at the Ceremony of the Keys in Edinburgh
The King was greeted with pipes, drums and bows and arrows as he kicked off his annual week in Scotland. Charles, 76, was given a Royal Salute and Guard of Honour as he inspected The Royal Company of Archers, The King’s Bodyguard for Scotland, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
He arrived at the palace in a helicopter after Buckingham Palace announce plans to axe the Royal Train. Yeterday, James Chalmers, Keeper of the Privy Purse, described the move as an example of the royal household applying “fiscal discipline” in its drive to deliver “value for money”.
On the visit, Charles took part in the Ceremony of the Keys – an official welcome to the Scottish capital. The Lord Provost Robert Aldridge presented the Keys to King who returned them for ‘safe keeping’.
The Lord Provost said to the King: “We, the Lord Provost and the members of the City of Edinburgh Council, welcome Your Majesty to the Capital City of your Ancient and Hereditary Kingdom of Scotland and offer for your gracious acceptance the Keys of Your Majesty’s good City of Edinburgh.”
The King replied: “I return these keys, being perfectly convinced that they cannot be placed in better hands than those of the Lord Provost and Councillors of my good City of Edinburgh.”
The King, wearing a suit with Company of Archers tie, was also given a Guard of Honour by The King’s Bodyguard Scotland (Royal Company of Archers).
Music at the official welcome in Scotland was provided by The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and Pipes and Drums of 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Renditions included ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)’ by the Scottish duo Proclaimers and ‘Counting Stars’ by One Republic. Also on Parade was the Balaklava Company, 5 SCOTS and the High Constables of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Around 250 people were invited as a thank you for their work in the local community watched the ceremony from the palace garden. Later today, the King will also preside over an investiture ceremony at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Those receiving honours will include artist Barbara Rae, who was awarded a damehood for services to art in the New Year Honours, and Scotland’s most decorated Olympian, Duncan Scott, who becomes an OBE for services to swimming.
Swimmer Stephen Clegg, who won two gold medals at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris and becomes an MBE for services to swimming, will also attend.
The monarch traditionally spends a week based at the Palace of Holyroodhouse each year in what is known as Holyrood Week or Royal Week in Scotland.
Later, the King and Queen will host guests at a garden party at the palace, alongside Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
