Today, the King participated in the historic Ceremony of the Keys, which marks the beginning of Holyrood Week for the Royal Family. His Majesty, aged 74, is currently in Edinburgh for a week of traditional events in Scotland. This visit holds significance for the monarch as it includes several firsts for him, such as a special ceremony of thanksgiving at St Giles’ Cathedral where he will receive the Honours of Scotland, which are the crown jewels of the nation. During today’s ceremony, the King was presented with the keys of the city and welcomed to his “ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland.” Members of the Royal Company of Archers formed a Guard of Honour for the occasion. The King also visited Kinneil House in Bo’ness, Falkirk, where he met representatives from various charities, including his own organization, The Princes Trust, as well as Cycling Without Age Scotland and Sustainable Thinking Scotland. Dressed in a traditional tartan kilt and sporran, the King received a warm welcome from the crowd as he viewed the historic engine erected by renowned Scottish engineer James Watt. The Ceremony of the Keys is a ceremonial tradition where the King is welcomed into the city of Edinburgh by the Lord Provost, who offers him the keys of the city. The King then returns the keys, entrusting their safekeeping to the elected officials. The Royal Regiment of Scotland provides a guard of honour for the occasion. Holyrood Week is a celebration of Scottish culture, history, and achievement. Today’s events took place at Kinneil House and James Watt Cottage, historically significant locations where James Watt developed the prototype steam engine in the 18th century. The King additionally planted a tree to commemorate the estate’s centenary as a public park and met with charity representatives and beneficiaries. May Garrow, who was crowned the Bo’ness Queen in 1936, joined the King during the visit and expressed her joy at meeting him for the first time. The visit to Sustainable Thinking Scotland allowed the King to appreciate the community benefits of their sustainable food growing initiative. The King praised the cherries grown by the organization, remarking that they were the largest he had ever seen. This visit is the first in a series of engagements in Scotland, marking the first Holyrood Week since the King’s coronation. The culmination of the week will be a ceremony of thanksgiving and dedication at St Giles’ Cathedral, where the King will be presented with the Honours of Scotland. The order of service for the event includes both traditional Scottish royal elements and new additions such as specially composed music and passages from the New Testament in Scots. The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, will deliver a sermon and provide a closing blessing. The service will also feature performances by violinist Nicola Benedetti and Olympic rower Dame Katherine Grainger, who will carry the Elizabeth Sword as a substitute for the Sword of State.
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