SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

DONATE NOW
British Royals

King Charles and Queen Camilla join party to mark 75 years of the NHS

By
4th July 2023

The King and Queen have got the big party started for the NHS as it marks a major milestone in its history.

With just hours to go until the National Health Service turns 75, Their Majesties joined a special celebration at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

Queen Camilla cut the birthday cake as the NHS in Scotland continued its events for this landmark anniversary.

Embed from Getty Images

The King and Queen visited NHS Lothian’s Medicine of the Elderly Meaningful Activity Centre as the 75th birthday began. They met staff and patients and heard about the ongoing work at the centre, receiving a warm welcome.

The National Health Service was established on July 5th 1948 to provide healthcare free at the point of access for everyone in the UK.

The visit came as Holyrood Week continued. The Monarch traditionally spends a week in Scotland in early summer – this is the first of the reign of King Charles III.

Embed from Getty Images

On arrival, on July 3rd 2023, His Majesty took part in the Ceremony of the Keys at Holyroodhouse Palace before visiting HMY Britannia which is marking a quarter of a century in permanent dock in Edinburgh this year.

On the morning of July 4th, ahead of the NHS celebration, King Charles and Queen Camilla viewed the Jubilee Gates at Abbey Yard at Holyrood. They were put up to mark the Platinum celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II.

The King and Queen will be presented with the Honours of Scotland in a ceremony at St. Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on July 5th 2023.

Share:
About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.