The King and Queen’s coronation was celebrated during a special ceremony in Scotland on Wednesday
Charles, 74, and Camilla, 75, were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales at a national service of thanksgiving at St Giles’ Cathedral, as part of Royal Week.
During the ceremony, the King was presented with the Honours of Scotland – the oldest Crown Jewels in the world – and new music was written specially for the occasion.
The service began with a people’s procession from the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, with a 100-strong group, led by Corporal Cruachan IV, the Shetland pony regimental mascot of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.Â
Chosen to reflect all walks of life in Scotland, among those represented were NHS Scotland, celebrating its 75th anniversary, the Robert Burns World Federation, College of Master Kilt Tailors, the Scottish Parliament, the Prince’s Trust, Glasgow Life – museums and the Trades Houses of Scotland, from coopers to goldsmiths.
The Honours of Scotland, consisting of The Crown, the Sceptre and the Sword of State, travelled by car under military guard. They include the new Elizabeth Sword, commissioned to replace the previous Sword of State as it had become too fragile, having been given to James IV by Pope Julius in 1507.
The royals were pictured making their way to the cathedral from the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The King, Queen and the Prince of Wales all donned the Order of the Thistle robes as they are part of the Order of Chivalry – Scotland’s Highest Order.
Kate paid tribute to Scotland’s flag in a blue Catherine Walker coat dress with a matching Philip Treacy hat and the late Queen Elizabeth II’s four-strand pearl choker.
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.
Others involved included violinist Nicola Benedetti, who was among the musicians playing, and Olympic rower Dame Katherine Grainger who carried the Elizabeth Sword which was used in place of the Sword of State.
After the service, there was a gun salute at Edinburgh Castle and the royals watched a spectacular flypast by the Red Arrows from the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The King and Queen kicked off Royal Week on Monday, with Charles participating in the Ceremony of the Keys at the palace, and joining former sailors aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia at a reception to mark 25 years since she arrived in Edinburgh.
On Tuesday, the royal couple toured the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh to mark the NHS’ 75th birthday and attended a garden party, where they were joined by the Princess Royal.
Meanwhile, Princess Kate’s arrival in Scotland comes the day after she watched Katie Boulter on Court 18 and Sir Andy Murray on Centre Court, in her first appearance at Wimbledon.
The Scottish coronation as it happened
- 1315 – People’s Procession leaves Edinburgh Castle Esplanade
- 1330 – People’s Procession arrives at West Parliament Square
- 1340 – The Honours of Scotland (Crown Jewels) leave the Castle Esplanade under military and police escort
- 1340 – Military bands and Household Cavalry Mounted Regiments depart from Palace of Holyroodhouse to West Parliament Square
- 1350 – The Honours arrive at West Parliament Square
- 1405 – Royal Procession leaves the Palace of Holyroodhouse
- 1410 – Royal Procession arrives at St Giles’ Cathedral
- 1415 – National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication begins
- 1515 – Service ends
- 1520 – King and Queen exit St Giles. Royal Gun Salute from Edinburgh Castle
- 1540 – RAF flypast
