King Charles officially commenced Royal Week in Scotland on June 30 with the traditional Ceremony of the Keys at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. The King, accompanied by Queen Camilla, will spend the week celebrating Scottish culture, achievements, and community.
Ceremony of the Keys
The King arrived at the Palace gardens by helicopter and was greeted by a guard of honour from Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland. The Royal Company Archers, the King's bodyguard for Scotland, were also on parade. During the ceremony, the band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and Pipes and Drums of 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland provided music.
Lord Provost Robert Aldridge presented the keys to Edinburgh to King Charles on a red cushion. The King then returned the symbolic keys for safekeeping, as per tradition. Aldridge said: "We, the Lord Provost and 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 perfectly convinced that they cannot be placed in better hands than those of the Lord Provost and councillors of my good city of Edinburgh."
Investiture and Upcoming Events
Following the ceremony, King Charles hosted an investiture at the Palace, honouring individuals including forensic scientist Lorna Dawson, who received a damehood, and New Seekers singer Eve Graham, who was made an MBE for services to music.
On Wednesday, July 1, the King, Queen Camilla, Prince William (The Duke of Rothesay), and Prince Edward (The Duke of Edinburgh) will attend the Thistle Service at St Giles Cathedral. The Order of the Thistle is Scotland's highest order of chivalry, recognizing 16 knights and individuals who have contributed to national life.
On Thursday, July 2, the King will visit Jedburgh for the Jethart Callant Festival, viewing a horse procession and participating in the historic street sport 'hand ba', played annually since 1704.
On Friday, the Duke of Edinburgh will host a Gold Award celebration in the Palace gardens for Duke of Edinburgh award participants.
King Charles and Queen Camilla also opened the new Scottish Parliament session on June 27, marking the start of the seventh session since 1999. Charles expressed his "greatest pleasure" in opening the session, calling Holyrood a "powerful expression of Scotland's democratic tradition."
