The King took part in a historic ceremony to begin Holyrood Week in Edinburgh.
The Ceremony of the Keys is held in the Forecourt of the Palace of Holyroodhouse whenever the Monarch arrives. This time it was for the week that King Charles and Queen Camilla traditionally spend in Scotland each July.
In the ceremony, the Lord Provost offered the keys of the city on a velvet pillow with this statement, ”We, the Lord Provost and the members of the City of Edinburgh Council, welcome Your Majesty to the capital city of your Ancient and Hereditary Kingdom of Scotland and offer for your gracious acceptance the Keys of Your Majesty’s good City of Edinburgh.”
King Charles responded with, ”I return these keys, being perfectly convinced that they cannot be placed in better hands than those of the Lord Provost and Councillors of my good City of Edinburgh.”
Although Holyrood Week has been shortened to two days due to the General Election on 4 July, The King and Queen have a busy schedule. They have also been joined by The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
This is a particularly notable Holyrood Week, as 2024 marks the 900 year anniversary of Edinburgh as a city.
