The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have taken part in an historic ceremony in the Scottish capital ahead of a large gathering.
The Duke and Duchess were at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh to take part in the Ceremony of the Keys to mark the opening of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
At the ceremony, the Lord High Commissioner receives the keys of the city on a red-velvet pillow from the Lord Provost. The ceremony may date back to the fourteenth century but there are specific references to it by the sixteenth century.
The Duke is acting as Lord High Commissioner on behalf of his brother, The King. He has also acted as Lord High Commissioner on behalf of his mother in the past. He last served under Queen Elizabeth II in 2014. The Lord High Commissioner is the Monarch’s representative at the assembly
Prince Edward will back both the opening and closing addresses this week at the General Assembly and will attend several events.
The Ceremony of the Keys is also held in the forecourt of the Palace of Holyroodhouse when the Monarch comes to stay in late June/early July for Royal Week in Scotland.
