King Charles III has arrived in Edinburgh for a series of events to mark Royal Week – the annual royal celebration of Scottish culture, community and achievements.
The King’s first engagement was the traditional Ceremony of the Keys in the gardens of the Palace Holyroodhouse, his official residence in the Scottish capital.
It took place shortly after he arrived by helicopter and was greeted to a guard of honour provided by Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The monarch traditionally spends a week in Edinburgh each July, in what is known as Holyrood or Royal Week.
King Charles arrived in a helicopter for the ceremony
A guard of honour was provided by Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, which the King inspected upon arrival
The King was presented with the keys by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh Robert Aldridge, who held them out on a red cushion, which the monarch symbolically touched and returned for safekeeping.
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.”
In return, the King gave the traditional reply: “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.”
The King was greeted by senior military and uniformed figures in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Lord Provost of Edinburgh Robert Aldridge presents the keys to the City of Edinburgh to King Charles III during the Ceremony of the Keys at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Before the ceremony, the palace’s gardens were transformed into a parade ground and the King met senior military and uniformed figures.
He received a royal salute before inspecting a guard of honour of soldiers from the Royal Company of Archers, who serve as the King’s ceremonial bodyguard in Scotland.
Music was provided by the band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and Pipes and Drums of 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The palace gardens were transformed into a parade ground with Arthur’s Seat in the background
The band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland provided the music for the King’s arrival in Edinburgh
On Saturday, King Charles opened the new session of the Scottish Parliament, marking the seventh session of Holyrood since it was established in 1999.
The event started with the Crown of Scotland being escorted down the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle before the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland brass ensemble performed a fanfare in the debating chamber.
The King will later hold an investiture ceremony and garden party at the palace, at the foot of the Royal Mile, alongside Queen Camilla, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal.
Those receiving honours will include forensic scientist Lorna Dawson, who was awarded a damehood in the New Year Honours, and New Seekers singer Eve Graham, who becomes an MBE for services to the music industry.
Simon Milne, regius keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, also receives a knighthood for services to botany, conservation and horticulture.
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