The Queen appeared in
good spirits as she made a second public outing in Edinburgh this week. Her
Majesty joined the Armed Forces at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, her
official royal residence in Scotland, as they celebrated her Platinum Jubilee.
As head of the Armed Forces in
the UK, the monarch watched as the army, navy and air force took part in a
parade in the palace gardens.
A royal salute was given as
the Queen made her entrance. Lord Lyon, King of Arms, then presented three
senior representatives from the services to Her Majesty.
 |
The Queen attended the parade in Edinburgh
They were joined by three
cadets, representing each service, who paraded the key to Edinburgh Castle across
the gardens before presenting it to Major General Alastair Bruce of Crionaich,
Governor of Edinburgh Castle.
In keeping with tradition, the
Major General then addressed the Queen, 96, saying: “We, the serving
members of Your Majesty’s armed forces, bound by our oath to you, your heirs
and successors, offer for your gracious acceptance the key to Your Majesty’s
Royal Castle of Edinburgh.”
The Queen responded: “I
return this key to the safekeeping of My Governor of Edinburgh Castle, in
gratitude for the symbolic act of loyalty of our armed forces, confident of
your faithful allegiance to your oath.”
The monarch is marking
Holyrood Week, also known as Royal Week, in Scotland until Friday and has been
joined by other members of her family on her annual trip.
 |
The key to Edinburgh Castle was paraded in front of the Queen during the ceremony
On Monday, she stepped out
with the Earl and the Countess of Wessex for the Ceremony of the Keys, which
took place on the forecourt of Holyroodhouse. The Queen was symbolically
handed the keys of the city by the Lord Provost and tradition dictates she
then returns them, entrusting their safekeeping to Edinburgh’s elected
officials.
Later on Tuesday, her daughter
Princess Anne will conduct an investiture on her behalf, again at
Holyroodhouse.
