With the traditional Ceremony of the Keys, the so-called Royal Week in Scotland has begun for King Charles III (77). The monarch, who according to the BBC arrived in Edinburgh by helicopter, participated in the ceremonial act on Tuesday morning in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse - his official residence in the Scottish capital.
Keys to the "good city" of Edinburgh
The symbolic handover of the city keys took center stage. "This centuries-old tradition marks the official reception of the monarch in Edinburgh. The Lord Provost presents His Majesty with the keys to the city, which he then returns for safekeeping", stated an Instagram post by the "Royal Family".
"We, the Lord Provost and members of the City of Edinburgh Council, welcome Your Majesty to the capital of Your ancient and hereditary Kingdom of Scotland and offer for Your gracious acceptance the keys to Your good City of Edinburgh", said Edinburgh's Lord Provost Robert Aldridge according to the BBC.
Charles responded with the traditional formula: "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."
Military honors in the palace gardens
Even before the handover, the palace gardens had been transformed into a parade ground - with the distinctive hill Arthur's Seat as a backdrop. There, the King met with high-ranking military officers and uniformed personnel and received a royal salute. He then inspected a guard of honor from the Balaklava Company of the 5th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Also on the grounds was the Royal Company of Archers, which serves as the King's ceremonial bodyguard in Scotland. Musical accompaniment was provided by the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland as well as the Pipes and Drums of the 2nd Battalion.
Parliament opening already on Saturday
Already on Saturday, Charles, alongside Queen Camilla (78) and dressed in a kilt, opened the new session of the Scottish Parliament. Before that, the Crown of Scotland had been led down the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle, before a brass ensemble from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland played a fanfare in the chamber.
During the rest of the week, the King will hold an investiture ceremony as well as a garden party at the palace - together with Queen Camilla, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Princess Anne. Among those being honored are, according to the BBC, forensic scientist Lorna Dawson, who was made a Dame as part of the New Year Honours, as well as Eve Graham, singer of the group The New Seekers, who will be appointed MBE for her services to the music industry. Simon Milne, Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, will also receive a knighthood for his services to botany, conservation, and horticulture.
Royal Week, also called Holyrood Week in Scotland, is the annual royal celebration of Scottish culture, community, and achievements. Traditionally, the monarch spends a week at the Palace of Holyroodhouse every July for this purpose.
