The Duke of Edinburgh joined Scotland’s newly elected MSPs at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on Wednesday for the traditional Royal Kirking of Parliament.
Prince Edward attended the centuries-old ceremony marking the beginning of a new parliamentary session following last week’s Scottish Parliament election.
The service, held in the historic cathedral on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, brought together politicians, faith leaders and representatives from across Scottish civic life ahead of Holyrood’s first sitting on Thursday.
The Duke of Edinburgh was among the congregation during the ceremonial service, which featured hymns, prayers and choral performances beneath the cathedral’s stone arches.
Following the ceremony, the King’s younger brother met party leaders and parliamentary staff at a reception held at the neighbouring Signet Library.
The annual Kirking ceremony is one of the most significant events in Scotland’s parliamentary calendar and symbolises reflection and unity ahead of a new political term.
In her sermon, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Right Reverend Rosie Frew, urged MSPs to be guided by the values inscribed on the Scottish Parliament’s ceremonial mace – wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity.
The mace was gifted to Holyrood by Queen Elizabeth II when the Scottish Parliament reconvened in 1999.
Addressing both new and returning MSPs, Rev Frew described the new parliamentary term as “a new beginning”.
“We’ve had an election, and by their very nature elections are combative,” she said.
“And yet as politicians regardless of party, there is so much that you have in common.”
She added that public service was about “serving the welfare of others” rather than personal recognition.
The service also included a number of interfaith blessings on Parliament and marked the first time a pagan blessing had been included during a Kirking ceremony.
Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone delivered one of the readings during the service and later spoke with Prince Edward during the reception afterwards.
The Duke’s appearance comes as he continues to undertake an increasingly prominent role within the Royal Family following the King’s accession.
Prince Edward has frequently represented the monarch at ceremonial and national events across the United Kingdom and has become one of the monarchy’s busiest working royals in recent years.
