King Charles welcomed to Scotland in ancient ceremony
King Charles was formally welcomed to Scotland on Tuesday in a ceremony with origins stretching back centuries.
He was handed the keys to the City of Edinburgh on a red velvet cushion by the Lord Provost in what is known as the Ceremony of the Keys at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, his official residence in Edinburgh.
The gesture signals the start of what is known as Holyrood Week, the official visit by the Sovereign to Scotland every July to celebrate Scottish culture, community and achievement.
This year events are, however, being restricted to just two days as the King needs to return to London for Thursday’s general election.
The King and Queen flew in by helicopter from Birkhall, their Scottish home, where they had spent the weekend.
Standing in the gardens of the palace, the King was greeted by a Guard of Honour provided by Balaklava Company, 5 Scots.
Music was provided by The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and Pipes and Drums of the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Also on parade were the Palace Guard from the Balaklava Company, 5 Scots, The King’s Bodyguard Scotland (Royal Company of Archers) - which has functioned since created by George IV in 1822 as the Sovereign’s ceremonial ‘Bodyguard for Scotland’ - and the High Constables of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
A royal gun salute was simultaneously fired at Edinburgh Castle as the sovereign arrived.
King Charles, 75, received a Royal Salute before inspecting the troops through an “Avenue of Archers”.
The Lord Provost, Councillor Robert Aldridge, then presented the Keys to the City of Edinburgh to His Majesty, saying: ‘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.’
According to tradition, the King merely touched them before returning them to the Lord Provost for safe keeping, replying: ‘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.’
In the audience was D-Day veteran Cyril Bird, 100, from Edinburgh, who served with the Royal Tank Regiment in Normandy.
His wife, Liz, said: “As a country we do this thing really well.
“It’s so important to keep these traditions alive and well and very important to my husband and fellow D-Day veterans to be here.
“It’s also marvellous to see the King looking so well considering everything he is going through.”
Later on Tuesday the King will hold an investiture while the Queen will host a reception to celebrate those who work to promote Scottish Literacy.
Their Majesties, joined by The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, will also host guests at a garden party.
