The annual Arrival Parade and Ceremony of the Keys is when His Majesty The King symbolically receives the keys to the City of Edinburgh, offered by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh.
His Majesty The King was formally welcomed to Edinburgh during the annual Ceremony of the Keys at the Palace of Holyrood house.
The event featured a large guard of honour by The King’s Body Guard in Scotland (Royal Company of Archers).
Members from 32nd Regiment, The Royal Artillery firing the Howitzer L118 105mm Light Gun on the arrival of His Majesty The King into Edinburgh.
Members of Balaklava Company 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (5 SCOTS) being inspected prior to the arrival of His Majesty the King.
As The King arrived in the gardens at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, The King's Body Guard in Scotland (Royal Company of Archers) mounted the large guard of honour with soldiers from Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (BKA Coy, 5 SCOTS) providing the lining party.
Senior military representatives included the Governor of Edinburgh, Major General Bob Bruce CBE DSO, Air Officer Scotland, Air Commodore Mark Northover and Commodore Paul Dunn OBE, Head of RN Submarine Service.
"Preparing troops for a high-profile ceremonial operation is a meticulous process. The hours spent on the parade square practicing guard mounts and the arrivals parades sequence are evident in the troops' steadfast performance."
The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland had the privilege of performing during the ceremony.
32nd Regiment Royal Artillery fired a 21 Gun Salute at Edinburgh Castle simultaneous to The King arriving at the Palace of Holyrood House.
Visitors to Edinburgh Castle were also given the honour of hearing a spectacular musical performance by The Royal Marine Band Scotland solo piper Lance Corporal Ryan Brady from the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry
This event is one of many Ceremonial Operations which the British Army in Scotland provides support to.
When asked what it was like preparing troops for high profile Ceremonial Operations, Garrison Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class One Davey Hunter said:
“Preparing troops for a high-profile ceremonial operation is a meticulous process. The hours spent on the parade square practicing guard mounts and the arrivals parades sequence are evident in the troops' steadfast performance.”
“Behind the scenes, the meticulous attention to detail on uniforms ensures every service person can stand tall with pride as their Majesties arrive in the capital.”
In advance of His Majesty The King’s official annual visit to Scotland, members of BKA Coy, 5 SCOTS proudly mounted guard at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle.
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