Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland once again demonstrated its ceremonial expertise, performing the guard of honour for the arrival of the Lord High Commissioner to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, marking the start of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
Soldiers wearing Scottish ceremonial uniforms are marching onto a parade square.
Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland performed a Guard of Honour for the arrival of the Lord High Commissioner to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The Lord High Commissioner Lady Elish Angiolini LT DBE PC KC FRSE inspects the Guard of Honour at the opening of the General Assembly.
Each year, His Majesty The King appoints a Lord High Commissioner to represent the Sovereign at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The Lord High Commissioner this year is Lady Elish Angiolini LT DBE PC KC FRSE.
The Arrival Parade and the Ceremony of the Keys took place on 14 May 2026 at the Palace of Holyroodhouse with musical accompaniment provided by the combined Pipes and Drums of The Royal Irish Regiment, The Queens Royal Hussars and The Irish Guards and The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The British Army’s senior representative at the Arrival Parade was the Governor of Edinburgh Castle, Major General Bob Bruce CBE DSO.
19th Regiment Royal Artillery fired the Gun Salute from Edinburgh Castle at 9:50am on 15 May as the Lord High Commissioner travelled to the General Assembly. The Royal Marines Band Scotland provided musical support.
“Not only I am honoured to take over the prestigious role of Garrison Sergeant Major, but I am also privileged that my first ceremonial duty is the Arrival Parade which marks the start of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.”
In his first ceremonial duty as the new Edinburgh Garrison Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class One Michael Little, Scots Guards said:
“Not only I am honoured to take over the prestigious role of Garrison Sergeant Major, but I am also privileged that my first ceremonial duty is the Arrival Parade which marks the start of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.”
Castle and Palace Guard was provided by members of the Royal Navy with musical support from the Royal Marines Band Scotland and the combined pipes and drums.
The General Assembly symbolises the fulfilment of HM The King’s oath made at the Accession Council on 10 September 2022 to assure the independence of the Church of Scotland, as agreed in the Treaty of Union of 1707.
