King Charles dons a traditional tartan kilt and sporran as he visits Scotland

The King today took part in the historic Ceremony of the Keys – the traditional opener to Holyrood Week for the Royal Family.

His Majesty, 74, is in Edinburgh for the traditional week of events in Scotland, which will include many firsts for the monarch, including a special ceremony of thanksgiving at St Giles’ Cathedral on Wednesday, where Charles will be presented with the Honours of Scotland – the nation’s crown jewels.

Today’s ceremony saw the King handed the keys of the city and welcomed to his ‘ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland’. A Guard of Honour was formed by members of Royal Company of Archers. 

During the ritual, the monarch ceremoniously returns the keys, entrusting them to the elected officials of the city. 

Earlier today, Charles visited Kinneil House in Bo’ness, Falkirk, to meet representatives from charities including his own, The Princes Trust, as well as Cycling Without Age Scotland and Sustainable Thinking Scotland.

The King today took part in the historic Ceremony of the Keys – the traditional opener to Holyrood Week for the Royal Family

Dressed in a traditional tartan kilt and sporran, he was welcomed by crowds upon his arrival at the house, where he viewed the cylinder of the engine erected by famed Scottish engineer James Watt. 

What is the Ceremony of the Keys?

As part of the Ceremony of the Keys, the King is welcomed into the city of Edinburgh, His Majesty’s ‘ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland’, by the Lord Provost, who offers him the keys of the city.

The monarch then ceremoniously returns the keys, entrusting them to the elected officials of the city.

He also inspects a guard of honour, provided by the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Holyrood week celebrates Scottish culture, history and achievement.

The house – the historic home of the dukes of Hamilton – and nearby James Watt Cottage were the setting for the engineer’s secret development work on the prototype steam engine in 1765-73.

The King also planted a tree to commemorate the centenary of the estate becoming a public park and met charity representatives and beneficiaries.

Among those he greeted was Bo’ness Fair Queen, Lexi Scotland, who was wearing her ceremonial robes and a crown. 

The visit is the first of a series of engagements in Scotland, marking the first Holyrood Week since his coronation. 

There will be a special ceremony of thanksgiving at St Giles’ Cathedral on Wednesday, where Charles will be presented with the Honours of Scotland – the nation’s crown jewels.

Each year, the monarch traditionally spends a week based at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, known as Holyrood Week or Royal Week in Scotland.

This evening, the King and Queen Camilla, 75, will attend a reception on the Royal Yacht Britannia, to mark 25 years since her arrival in Edinburgh.

Charles and Camilla are also expected to visit the Great Tapestry of Scotland, seeing a newly stitched panel dedicated to the couple. 

In 2022, Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II travelled to Edinburgh to be present at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for what was her final Ceremony of the Keys, despite winding back her official duties due to mobility issues.

Today’s ceremony saw the King (pictured) handed the keys of the city and welcomed to his ‘ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland’

A Guard of Honour was formed by members of Royal Company of Archers. Pictured, Charles at the event

As part of the Ceremony of the Keys (pictured), the King is welcomed into the city of Edinburgh, His Majesty’s ‘ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland’, by the Lord Provost, who offers him the keys of the city

King Charles (pictured right) was dressed in a traditional tartan kilt and sporran for today’s outing

King Charles III with designer Mark Dennis (left) and the new Elizabeth Sword at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh

The sword – named after Queen Elizabeth II – will form part of the Honours of Scotland, which includes the Crown and Sceptre

The Honours of Scotland will be presented to the King (pictured) during the Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication at St Giles Cathedral on Wednesday 5 July

The late monarch, who passed away in September 2022, and had a deep love for Scotland, was joined by Prince Edward and Sophie – who have since assumed the titles of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh following her death. 

Dressed in a powder blue silk wool coat and dress by Stewart Parvin, paired with a hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan, the Queen was symbolically offered the keys to the city by Edinburgh Lord Provost Robert Aldridge.

The tradition dictates that the monarch returns them, entrusting their safekeeping to the city’s elected officials.

Meanwhile, the order of service has been unveiled for the event in Edinburgh this week to mark the coronation of the King and Queen.

Charles will be presented with the Honours of Scotland – the country’s crown jewels – during the service of thanksgiving and dedication at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on Wednesday.

The service will feature centuries-old aspects of Scottish royal tradition along with new additions such as pieces of music written specially for the occasion, a psalm sung in Gaelic and the use of passages from the New Testament in Scots.

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, will preach the sermon and then provide a blessing to close the service.

Others involved will include violinist Nicola Benedetti, who will be among the musicians playing, and Olympic rower Dame Katherine Grainger who will carry the Elizabeth Sword which is being used in place of the Sword of State.

King Charles III (right) plants a tree to commemorate the centenary of the estate becoming a public park during his visit to Kinneil House

King Charles III greets the Bo’ness Fair Queen, Lexi Scotland, during his visit to Kinneil House, marking the first Holyrood Week since his coronation

King Charles – dressed in a traditional tartan kilt – meets members of the public during his visit to Kinneil House

King Charles is all smiles as he meets beaming members of the public during his first engagement in Scotland

King Charles (pictured shaking hands with a youngster) donned a traditional kilt and sporran for his first engagement in Scotland today

King Charles has arrived in Scotland for Royal Week as he marks a series of ‘firsts’ since he ascended the throne

King Charles watches as a tree is placed in the ground ready for him to plant at Kinneil House

Meanwhile, the order of service has been unveiled for the event in Edinburgh this week to mark the coronation of the King (pictured today, centre) and Queen

The Prince and Princess of Wales, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, will be among those at the event.

Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf will give a reading during the service, while others attending from the world of politics include Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton.

Rev Calum I MacLeod, minister of St Giles’, will provide the Welcome and Call to Worship at the start of the service.

He said: ‘It is a great honour and privilege to welcome their majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla to St Giles’ on such a joyous occasion.

‘His majesty has visited the cathedral many times and this will certainly be a fitting place to have a service of thanksgiving and dedication during his majesty’s first visit to Scotland following the coronation in May.

‘St Giles’ was probably founded by David I in around 1124 so there has been a strong royal connection since the beginning, nearly 900 years ago.’

The service will feature five new pieces of music commissioned to mark the occasion including Balmoral Flourishes, by composer Paul Mealor, which will be performed by the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry.

A Gaelic Psalm by Mealor, written especially for the service, will be sung by Joy Dunlop, in recognition of Scotland’s linguistic heritage. There will also be contributions from other faiths and Christian denominations.

During the ceremony, the sceptre and crown from the Honours of Scotland will be presented to the King, along with the Elizabeth Sword.

This is a new sword specially crafted to be used in place of the current Sword of State, gifted to James IV by Pope Julius in 1507, which can no longer be used due to its fragile condition.

Dame Katherine will carry the Elizabeth Sword; Lady Dorrian, the Lord Justice Clerk will hold the sceptre and the Duke of Hamilton the Crown of Scotland.

Mrs Foster-Fulton said: ‘What a joy to welcome their majesties the King and Queen back home to Scotland and to participate in the national Service of thanksgiving and dedication on July 5.’

Charles (pictured today) will be presented with the Honours of Scotland – the country’s crown jewels – during the service of thanksgiving and dedication at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on Wednesday

King Charles III (left) during his visit to Kinneil House, marking the first Holyrood Week since his coronation

Dressed in a traditional tartan kilt and sporran, he was welcomed by crowds upon his arrival at the house (pictured), where he viewed the cylinder of the engine erected by famed Scottish engineer James Watt 

The house (pictured) and nearby James Watt Cottage were the setting for the engineer’s secret development work on the prototype steam engine in 1765-73

Later today, Charles (pictured left) will also attend the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where he will take part in his first ever Ceremony of the Keys as monarch

King Charles III (centre right) during his visit to Kinneil House, marking the first Holyrood Week since his coronation

King Charles III meets members of the public during his visit to Kinneil House

King Charles waves to the welcoming crowd during his visit to Kinneil House today

The King (pictured visiting Kinneil House) opted for a striped tie and navy blazer when wearing a traditional tartan kilt today

Charles (pictured during today’s outing) will be presented with the Honours of Scotland – the country’s crown jewels – during the service of thanksgiving and dedication at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on Wednesday

Beaming! The King speaks to smiling members of the public during his visit to Kinneil House

Before the service, a people’s procession of about 100 community groups will collect the honours from Edinburgh Castle.

The procession will then be escorted to the cathedral by the Royal Regiment of Scotland and its Shetland pony mascot, Corporal Cruachan IV, supported by cadet musicians from the combined cadet force pipes and drums.

Meanwhile, a royal procession will travel from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to the cathedral, with members of the public lining the Royal Mile to view both processions.

Rehearsals were held on the Royal Mile and outside the cathedral on Monday ahead of the events later in the week.

A 21-gun salute will fire from Edinburgh Castle at the end of the St Giles’ service, before the royal procession travels back to the palace.

The Stone of Destiny will be in the cathedral during the ceremony, and there will also be a fly-past by the Red Arrows following the event.

Anti-monarchy campaign group Republic will be staging a protest along the procession route and said it expects a large turnout.

The organisation will also be collaborating with Scottish republican group Our Republic, which will be staging a rally outside the Scottish Parliament.

Graham Smith, Republic’s chief executive officer, said: ‘Everyone in the UK should have the right to choose our head of state – not be told it will be Charles. Charles does not represent the people of Scotland any more than he represents the rest of the UK.’

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