The Armed Forces in Scotland have held a rare Act of Loyalty for Her Majesty The Queen at Holyrood Palace to mark her Platinum Jubilee.
Reminiscent of the Act of Loyalty arranged in 1822 for the visit to Scotland by King George IV – the first to Scotland by a reigning monarch in almost 200 years – senior officers from the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force paraded in front of Her Majesty in the gardens of Holyrood Palace. The Keys to Edinburgh Castle were presented by the Governor, Major General Alastair Bruce.
Supported by The Band of The Royal Marines Scotland and the Pipes and Drums of The Royal Regiment of Scotland the ceremony also included a number of Cadets.
The Senior Officers included Brigadier Andy Muddiman RM for the Royal Navy, Major General William Wright CBE for the Army and Air Vice Marshall Ross Paterson CB CBE ADC DL for the Royal Air Force.
The Act of Loyalty dates back to 1822 when King George IV visited Scotland and publicly wore Royal Stuart tartan and full highland regalia on the advice of Sir Walter Scott.
The keys to Edinburgh Castle will now be given a new token to show that they were presented to Her Majesty in her Platinum Jubilee year and will be returned to their display within the Castle.