His Majesty King Charles III stopped at the entrance to the Palace of Holyroodhouse to see the many floral tributes and messages left by well-wishers, as he arrived in Edinburgh today.
He then walked into the Palace grounds to participate in the ancient tradition of the Ceremony of the Keys. His Majesty was greeted by the Lord Provost and formally received the Keys to Edinburgh Castle. This is the second time this year the ceremony took place. The King’s Late Mother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, received the Keys during her Platinum Jubilee visit to Scotland in June.
His Majesty The King led a procession of members of the Royal Family following His Late Mother’s coffin carried by pall bearers drawn from The Royal Regiment of Scotland along the Royal Mile to St Giles’s Cathedral, where the Queen’s coffin will remain at the Cathedral for the next 24 hours enabling mourners to pay their respects.
At St Giles Cathedral the Royal Company of Archers took up position inside with His Majesty King Charles III leading the King’s Vigil. Her Majesty's coffin will then lie at rest in St Giles' Cathedral to allow the people of Scotland to pay their respects.
The King and members of the Royal Family took part in the cortege and service of thanksgiving at St Giles’ Cathedral. They were accompanied by the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and by pall bearers once more drawn from across the Regiment. The Guard of Honour was provided by the Royal Company of Archers, the Monarch’s bodyguard whilst in Scotland.
Her Majesty The Queen’s coffin arrived at the Palace of Holyroodhouse yesterday, Sunday. Escorted by Princess Anne all the way from Balmoral on its six-hour journey with mourning public paying their respect along the way, it was greeted by a Guard of Honour provided by the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Pall bearers from Balaklava Company, accompanied by The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, lined the forecourt as the hearse arrived and the Guard of Honour gave a Royal Salute as His Majesty The King’s colour was lowered. The bearer party then conveyed the coffin inside the Palace, a poignant moment for those who had respected and cherished Her Majesty The Queen as their Commander-in-Chief.
Chief Marshall Major Rice of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards is currently serving with 51st Infantry Brigade and HQ Scotland, the organisation responsible for delivering all military support in Scotland for the funeral. He was supported by Major Alder of 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Major Hamilton of 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Major Hold of 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland and Major Auty who is the Battery Commander 207th (City of Glasgow Bty) 105th Regt Royal Artillery.
