A special ceremony commemorating the coronation of the King and Queen took place in Scotland on Wednesday.
The Prince and Princess of Wales joined Charles, 74, and Camilla, 75, at a national service of thanksgiving held at St. Giles’ Cathedral as part of Royal Week.
Photo: Getty Images
The King was given the Honours of Scotland, the oldest Crown Jewels in existence, during the ceremony, and new music was composed especially for the event.
A procession of 100 people led by Corporal Cruachan IV, the Shetland pony regimental mascot of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, started the service off from the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.
Photo: Getty Images
The Robert Burns World Federation, the College of Master Kilt Tailors, the Scottish Parliament, the Prince’s Trust, Glasgow Life – museums, and the Trades Houses of Scotland, from coopers to goldsmiths, were among the organizations chosen to reflect all facets of Scottish life. NHS Scotland, which is commemorating its 75th anniversary, was also represented.
Photo: Getty Images
Under military protection, The Honours of Scotland—The Crown, the Sceptre, and the Sword of State—rode in a car. Included in them is the new Elizabeth Sword, which was ordered to take the place of the old Sword of State, which had been given to James IV by Pope Julius in 1507 but had grown too frail.
The royals were seen walking from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to the cathedral. As members of the Order of Chivalry, Scotland’s Highest Order, the King, Queen, and Prince of Wales all wore the Order of the Thistle robes.
Photo: Getty Images
With a blue Catherine Walker coat dress, a matching Philip Treacy hat, and the late Queen Elizabeth II’s four-strand pearl choker, Princess Catherine paid homage to the Scottish flag.
In addition to Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton, Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf will read during the service.
Photo: Getty Images
Other participants included Olympic rower Dame Katherine Grainger, who carried the Elizabeth Sword in place of the Sword of State, and violinist Nicola Benedetti, who was one of the musicians performing.
Following the service, the Red Arrows performed a breathtaking flypast from the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and there was a gun salute at Edinburgh Castle.
With Charles taking part in the Ceremony of the Keys at the palace and former sailors aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia at a reception to mark 25 years since she arrived in Edinburgh, the King and Queen began Royal Week on Monday.
The princess royal joined the royal couple as they celebrated the NHS’ 75th birthday on Tuesday by touring the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and going to a garden party.
In the meantime, Princess Catherine made her first appearance at Wimbledon the day before she arrived in Scotland, where she watched Katie Boulter on Court 18 and Sir Andy Murray on Centre Court.
The Scottish coronation as it happened
Photo: Getty Images
- 1315 – People’s Procession leaves Edinburgh Castle Esplanade
- 1330 – People’s Procession arrives at West Parliament Square
- 1340 – The Honours of Scotland (Crown Jewels) leave the Castle Esplanade under military and police escort
- 1340 – Military bands and Household Cavalry Mounted Regiments depart from Palace of Holyroodhouse to West Parliament Square
- 1350 – The Honours arrive at West Parliament Square
- 1405 – Royal Procession leaves the Palace of Holyroodhouse
- 1410 – Royal Procession arrives at St Giles’ Cathedral
- 1415 – National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication begins
- 1515 – Service ends
- 1520 – King and Queen exit St Giles. Royal Gun Salute from Edinburgh Castle
- 1540 – RAF flypast
