royal visit scotland today

The King meets young 'queen' on his first Scottish visit post-coronation

The King, who is in Scotland as part of Royal Week, also planted a tree to commemorate the centenary of the estate becoming a public park and met charity representatives and beneficiaries.

Monday 3 July 2023 17:09, UK

The King met a young "queen" as he arrived for his first public engagement north of the border since his coronation.

The monarch was welcomed by crowds as he arrived at Kinneil House in Bo'ness, Falkirk - the historic home of the dukes of Hamilton - wearing a kilt.

Among those the King greeted was Lexi Scotland, who was recently "crowned" queen of the Bo'ness Fair, an annual community event for children in the town.

The youngster looked the part as she met the King. She was wearing her ceremonial robes and a crown.

During his visit, the King also viewed the cylinder of an engine erected by the famed Scottish engineer, James Watt.

The house, along with the nearby James Watt Cottage, were the settings for the engineer's secret development work on the prototype steam engine in 1765-73.

The King also planted a tree to commemorate the centenary of the estate becoming a public park and met charity representatives and beneficiaries.

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The visit is the first of a series of engagements in Scotland, marking the first Holyrood Week since his coronation.

There will be a special ceremony of thanksgiving at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh on Wednesday, where the King will be presented with the Honours of Scotland - the nation's crown jewels.

Each year, the monarch traditionally spends a week based at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh , known as Holyrood Week or Royal Week in Scotland.

The King and Queen will be accompanied by William and Kate, whose Scottish titles are the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay.

Later on Monday, the King will take part in the Ceremony of the Keys on the palace forecourt where he is presented with the keys to the city.

The King and Queen Camilla are also expected to visit the Great Tapestry of Scotland, seeing a newly stitched panel dedicated to the couple.

Wednesday will be a key day during the visit with a series of events to mark the coronation .

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Read more: Details revealed for King and Queen's Scotland trip

Before the service at St Giles, there will be both a Royal Procession and a People's Procession along the Royal Mile.

Anti-monarchy campaign group Republic will be staging a protest along the route and said it expects a large turnout.

The organisation will also be collaborating with the Scottish republican group Our Republic, which will be staging a rally outside the Scottish Parliament.

Graham Smith, Republic's chief executive officer, said: "Everyone in the UK should have the right to choose our head of state - not be told it will be Charles.

"Charles does not represent the people of Scotland any more than he represents the rest of the UK."

The People's Procession will consist of about 100 people representing different aspects of Scottish life.

At the head of the column will be the Shetland pony Corporal Cruachan IV - the mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The Stone of Destiny will be present at the ceremony in St Giles' Cathedral, where the King will be presented with the Honours of Scotland.

Afterwards, there will be a gun salute at Edinburgh Castle and a flypast by the Red Arrows.

Edinburgh City Council has said those wishing to view the processions should plan ahead.

Lord Lieutenant Robert Aldridge said: "The eyes of the world will be upon us once again as we mark the coronation of his majesty, King Charles III, and her majesty, Queen Camilla.

"I'm quite sure it will be another proud day for the capital.

"Given the scale and significance of these ceremonial events, we have to be prepared for disruption across the city but, particularly, in the Old Town.

"We're working with our partners to manage this as best we can and to keep residents, businesses and visitors updated on the events.

"For those who wish to enjoy the royal and people's processions, I urge you to please plan ahead and keep an eye on our website and social media channels for the latest advice and guidance."

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King Charles' visit to Scotland: Timeline of events, road closures and how to watch

The King and Queen will be arriving in Edinburgh on July 5 to mark their Coronation in Scotland with a series of royal celebrations in the heart of the city.

• 14:37, 3 JUL 2023
• Updated 12:27, 4 JUL 2023

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King Charles and Queen Camilla will be arriving in Edinburgh this week for the monarch's 'second Coronation' celebration which will see a series of spectacular events take place in the city to honour the new British sovereign.

The monarch's visit on Wednesday, July 5 will be the first time he has visited the capital since he was officially crowned in May.

His arrival for the annual Scottish Royal Week will be welcomed with a string of celebrations that will last two and a half hours in the heart of Edinburgh.

The events on the day will begin at around lunchtime and will kickstart with a People's procession of around 100 people from Edinburgh Castle's Esplanade to St Giles Cathedral.

The celebrations will finish up later in the afternoon with a 21 gun salute from Edinburgh castle followed by a magnificent RAF flypast finale down the Royal Mile.

Here's everything you need to know about what will happen on the day including the timeline of the events, road closures and where to watch the celebrations on television.

Timeline of events

13.15: People’s Procession departs Edinburgh Castle Esplanade

13.30: People’s Procession arrives at St Giles’ Cathedral

13.40: The Honours of Scotland leave Edinburgh Castle Esplanade under military escort

13.40: Military pipe and drums bands and the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment move from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to West Parliament Square

13.50: The Honours of Scotland arrive at West Parliament Square by vehicle

14.05: Royal Procession leaves the Palace of Holyroodhouse

14.10: Royal Procession arrives at St Giles’ Cathedral

14.15: National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication begins

15.15: Service ends

15.20: The King and Queen exit St Giles’ to gun salute from the Castle

15.27: Royal party arrive at Palace of Holyroodhouse

15.40: RAF flypast down the Royal Mile

How to watch

The Scottish Coronation celebrations will be broadcast live on BBC1 Scotland from 1:30pm with the National Service of Dedication and Dedication at 14:15 also available to listen to on BBC Radio 3.

For those wanting to watch the People's Procession take place in person, there will be viewing opportunities along the Royal Mile from the Castle to the Palace of Holyrood house.

According to the Scottish Government website, The People's Procession will be made up of a wide range of organisations who will be representing aspects of Scottish life including charities and public services.

The Procession will be escorted by The Royal Regiment of Scotland, their Shetland Pony mascot Corporal Cruachan and will be supported by cadet musicians from the Combined Cadet Force Pipes and Drums, 51 Brigade Cadet Military Band.

Why is King Charles coming

Royal week is a tradition that happens each year in Scotland with the British monarch arriving in Edinburgh to spend a week based at the Palace of Holyrood house in the Capital.

Charles' first visit as King echoes the visit his late mother Queen Elizabeth II made to the city of Edinburgh in June 1953 shortly after she was crowned.

During the hour long National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication at St Giles Cathedral, the King will be presented with the Honours of Scotland which are the oldest crown jewels in Britain along with the Stone of Destiny.

These are made up of the new Elizabeth sword in honour of Her Majesty, the sceptre and the priceless crown of Scotland which have been present at many of the major royal ceremonial events over the past five centuries.

Road closures and public transport warnings

Royal Week is set to be a very busy period for the city with Edinburgh Council warning locals not to drive in the City Centre on Wednesday.

A number of road closures and traffic restrictions will be put in place around the Royal Mile on the day of the event.

These closures will begin from Tuesday July 4 including ones around the Palace of Holyroodhouse – Holyrood Gait, Holyrood Road, Horse Wynd.

On Wednesday a more extensive list of closures will include: Abbeyhill, Calton Road, Canongate, High Street, Jeffrey Street, St Mary’s Street, North Bridge, South Bridge, Cockburn Street, Victoria Street, George IV Bridge, Lawnmarket and Johnston Terrace.

All roads closed for royal events will be reopened by 6pm on July 6 with the exception of areas around the Castle Concerts, as well as St Giles Street and St John Street.

Public transport warnings have also been issued as royal fans and spectators are being advised to leave within plenty of time to make the event on time and check route schedules before leaving.

Royals latest news

Further information is available from Traffic Scotland and updates will be posted by Edinburgh Council.

More information on each part of the day can be found here.

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King Charles III and Camilla Greet Locals in Scotland During Official Visit

The senior royals paid homage to the country with their looks.

This morning, the two attended an official council meeting at the City Chambers in Dunfermline, located in the eastern part of the country. They also visited Dunfermline Abbey (on its 950th anniversary) to mark Dunfermline—formerly a town—officially becoming a city.

The king and queen consort later today will host a reception at The Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh to celebrate British South Asian communities.

For the engagements, Charles wore a traditional blue, green, and red Scottish kilt paired with a white dress shirt, navy-and-red tie and handkerchief, and dark gray vest and suit jacket. He also wore long red socks with shiny black dress shoes, a brown leather pouch, gold jewelry, and a thistle (the national flower of Scotland) pinned to his jacket.

Camilla also payed homage to the country with her ensemble. The queen consort looked elegant in a royal green trench dress with navy detailing at the collar. Underneath, she wore a ruffled white shirt. Camilla paired the dress with knee-high brown leather boots, black leather gloves, and a black leather handbag. She accessorized simply with a silver brooch with black round stones and diamond drop earrings.

Camilla and Charles were photographed meeting with members of the public after leaving the City Chambers and before heading to Dunfermline Abbey. The new British sovereign was all smiles as he shook hands with locals.

Charles became the United Kingdom's new monarch , taking on the title of King Charles III, on September 8, when his mother, the beloved Queen Elizabeth II, died at age 96. Prior to her passing, the queen asked that when the time came, Camilla be given the title of Queen Consort rather than Princess.

Rosa Sanchez is the senior news editor at Harper's Bazaar, working on news as it relates to entertainment, fashion, and culture. Previously, she was a news editor at ABC News and, prior to that, a managing editor of celebrity news at American Media. She has also written features for Rolling Stone, Teen Vogue, Forbes, and The Hollywood Reporter, among other outlets. 

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King and Queen visit to Edinburgh July 2023: events

Details of events taking place on 5 July to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla, including timings and viewing opportunities.

Scotland will mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla on Wednesday 5 July, during Royal Week in Edinburgh. 

The King, accompanied by The Queen, will be presented with the Honours of Scotland at a National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication at St Giles’ Cathedral. This will follow a people’s procession on the Royal Mile.

Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay will also attend events.

How to watch the events

You can watch the events on television. You can also listen to the National Service of Dedication and Thanksgiving on BBC Radio 3

If you want to watch the people’s procession in person, there will be viewing opportunities along the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

If you are planning to attend:

• public transport will be very busy so plan your journey in advance – more information below
• allow plenty of time to get there as there will be limited space on pavements along the Royal Mile (access to key areas may be restricted for safety reasons)
• be prepared to stand for a number of hours in changeable weather

1315: People’s Procession leaves Edinburgh Castle Esplanade

1330: People’s Procession arrives at West Parliament Square

1340: The Honours of Scotland (Crown Jewels) leave the Castle Esplanade under military and police escort

1340: Military bands and Household Cavalry Mounted Regiments depart from Palace of Holyroodhouse to West Parliament Square 

1350: The Honours arrive at West Parliament Square

1405: Royal Procession leaves the Palace of Holyroodhouse 

1410: Royal Procession arrives at St Giles’ Cathedral

1415: National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication begins - order of service attached

1515: Service ends

1520: King and Queen exit St Giles. Royal Gun Salute from Edinburgh Castle

1540: RAF flypast

Travel 

Public transport in areas where ceremonial events are taking place will be very busy.  As a result, journeys may take longer than usual. 

People are encouraged to plan journeys in advance and check routes before travelling. Information is available from Traffic Scotland

In the interests of public safety and to increase public access to ceremonial events there will be road closures around the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Further information is available from the City of Edinburgh Council . 

People’s Procession

A People’s Procession of around 100 people representing aspects of Scottish life including charities and public services , will process from Edinburgh Castle to St Giles’ Cathedral.

The People’s Procession will be escorted by The Royal Regiment of Scotland, their mascot Corporal Cruachan IV (a Shetland pony) and supported by cadet musicians from the Combined Cadet Force Pipes and Drums, 51 Brigade Cadet Military Band.

A wide range of organisations in Scotland will take part in the Procession.

People's Procession: organisations taking part

• Angus and Dundee Battalion ACF
• Assembly of the Feudal Baronage
• Boys Brigade
• Bonnet Makers & Dyers
• British Veterinary Association Scottish Branch
• Cairngorms National Park Authority
• Candlemakers
• City of Edinburgh Council School Crossing Patrol
• College of Master Kilt Tailors
• Clydeview Academy
• Duke of Edinburgh's Award
• Girls' Brigade in Scotland
• Glasgow Life – Museums
• Heraldry Society of Scotland
• National Museums Scotland
• National Piping Centre
• National Trust for Scotland
• National Services Scotland,
• Northern Lighthouse Board
• Police Roll of Honour Trust
• Princes’ Foundation
• Princes Trust
• Representation for the Refugee Community
• Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews
• Royal British Legion Scotland
• Royal College of Nursing Scotland
• Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Royal Company of Merchants of The City of Edinburgh
• Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
• Royal Mail Group
• Royal Pharmaceutical Society
• Royal Scottish Highland Games Association
• Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dance
• Royal Yacht Brittannia Edinburgh
• Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
• Scottish Ambulance Service
• Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
• Scottish Fishermen's Organisation
• Scottish Parliament
• Scottish Tartans Authority
• Scottish Youth Parliament
• Scouts Scotland
• Skinners & Glovers
• St Andrew's First Aid
• Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs
• Trades Houses of Scotland

Honours of Scotland

The Honours of Scotland are the oldest Crown Jewels in Britain which have been present at many of the major royal ceremonial events over the past five centuries. 

The Honours will be brought by vehicle from Crown Square to the Castle Esplanade and down the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral by the Lyon King of Arms, Marchmont Herald and Carrick Pursuivant. 

They will be escorted by The King’s Body Guard for Scotland, the Royal Company of Archers and a Guard of Honour formed by contingents of the Navy, Army and Royal Air Force. 

Royal Procession

The King and Queen and Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay will travel from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral in a Royal Procession. 

The Royal Procession will be preceded by musical accompaniment from the Royal Marine Band (Scotland), the Pipes, Drums and Bugles of the 2 nd  Battalion and mounted troops from the 1st Division of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.

National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication

The National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication will take place at St Giles’ Cathedral. 

The Stone of Destiny will be in the Cathedral for the service. 

Three pipers from His Majesty The King’s former school Gordonstoun will play for The King at St Giles’ Cathedral.  

The Congregation will be made up of people from various walks of life in Scotland including the First Minister, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Political Party Leaders, the People’s Procession, Church and Faith Communities and the charity and voluntary sectors.

See order of service attached.

Gun Salute and RAF Flypast

A 21-Gun Salute will fire from Edinburgh Castle at the end of the St Giles’ Service, before the Royal Procession travels back to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. 

The 21 Gun Saluting troop will be 12 Regiment Royal Artillery.

There will also be a fly past by the Red Arrows following the event.

St Giles’ Cathedral service - order of service added.

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The royals in Scotland: A special and complicated relationship

• Monday 12 September 2022 at 8:37pm

Peter Smith

ITV News Correspondent

The Queen had a particular love for Scotland, which lasted throughout her life, reports ITV News Scotland Correspondent Peter Smith

The Queen’s love for Scotland was born on childhood trips to Balmoral - and endured her whole life.

We don’t choose our perfect time or place of passing. But it is in this nation that the Queen is said to have felt uniquely at ease - at peace among the people.

As her coffin was moved from the Balmoral Castle ballroom to Edinburgh, the world could see the beauty of the landscape she had so embraced throughout her reign. 

The River Dee glistened as the helicopter followed the cortege. The clear skies revealed a rolling landscape all around.

Local people have cherished their relationship with the monarchy, and there were plenty who had great pride on Sunday as their homeland was put on show for the world to see.

From Royal Deeside, the people have also had a rare view of the Queen whenever she has been here for the last 70 years: relaxed in the outdoors, casually dressed and telling jokes at the family barbecue.

Nowhere has this distinct relationship with Scotland and its traditions been more apparent than at the Braemar gathering.

Year, after year, we have seen genuine enjoyment and affection joining the community for their Highland games.

The Queen also attended Crathie Kirk church, a short walk from Balmoral Castle, and prayed alongside the local congregation. 

That’s where she first heard Paul Anderson play his fiddle, then invited him to play for her at Balmoral.

He played at a private service for the royals in Crathie Kirk on Saturday - an emotional moment, just for her children and grandchildren.

He now sees the nation mourn a monarch, but says locals are remembering their neighbour.

The new King inherits this connection with Scotland, and it runs deep. But he knows this nation well. 

He is the first British monarch to have gone to school rather be educated at home, and it was at Gordonstoun near Elgin that he attended for six years.

While in attendance, the young King wrote about tough times at boarding school, though later said the Gordonstoun education helped shape the man we see today.

While people from the towns and villages around Balmoral have certainly embraced the royals as neighbours, it would be wrong to portray that as a universal affinity in Scotland. 

Far from the rolling hills on Royal Deeside, cities like Glasgow and Dundee have become notably cooler on flag waving and street parties .

Those Scots will be watching how King Charles III engages not just with the traditions of their nation, but with their lives - and even with their doubts about what role the royals have in a modern Scotland.

As people of Scotland now pay respects to the Queen before she leaves this land she so treasured one final time, we see the legacy she leaves behind.

Now it is the King who inherits that great responsibility for maintaining this unique bond with the land and its people.

The remarkable life of the Queen remembered in our latest episode of What You Need To Know

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King Charles to Return to Public Duties as Palace Shares Major Update on His Health amid Cancer Treatment

The King, 75, will visit a cancer treatment center with Queen Camilla as the palace says he is "greatly encouraged to be resuming some public-facing duties"

Stephanie Petit is a Royals Editor, Writer and Reporter at PEOPLE.

King Charles is gearing up for a return to public-facing royal duties after revealing his cancer diagnosis in February.

Buckingham Palace shared an encouraging update about the monarch's health on April 26, announcing that King Charles, 75, will visit a cancer treatment center to meet medical specialists and patients with Queen Camilla , 76, on April 30. It's understood that the center has not been directly involved with the King's medical care.

The palace added that the outing will be the first of several engagements planned for the King in the coming weeks, including hosting a state visit at Buckingham Palace for the Emperor and Empress of Japan in late June.

After beginning cancer treatment, King Charles postponed public duties but continued to work behind the scenes and undertake meetings including small audiences at Buckingham Palace . However, a royal source previously told PEOPLE that the monarch's desire to work was "wholly undiminished" with his nephew Peter Phillips revealing in an interview that his uncle was "frustrated" by his limitations .

Buckingham Palace/PA Wire 

“He is always pushing, his staff and everybody and his doctors and nurses to be able to say, 'Actually, can I do this? Can I do that?' " Peter said. “So the overriding message would be that he's obviously very keen to get back to a form of normality. And he's probably frustrated that, recovery is taking a little longer than probably he would want it to."

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said that King Charles' cancer treatment will continue, but "doctors are sufficiently pleased with the progress made so far that The King is now able to resume a number of public-facing duties."

Hollie Adams - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The King will continue all official state business and select audiences in addition to adding public outings to his agenda, but he will not have a full summer schedule, according to the palace. His appearance at Trooping the Colour , the annual celebration and parade marking the British monarch's birthday in London, on June 15 is still unconfirmed, in addition to other highlights on the royal calendar such as Royal Ascot in June and palace garden parties in May.

"Any public-facing engagements will be announced nearer the time in the usual way and will remain subject to doctors’ advice," the palace spokesperson said.

"His Majesty is greatly encouraged to be resuming some public-facing duties and very grateful to his medical team for their continued care and expertise," the spokesperson added.

Hollie Adams - WPA Pool/Getty 

The latest health announcement was accompanied by a new portrait of King Charles and Queen Camilla, taken to mark the first anniversary of the coronation approaching on May 6. The snap was taken in the gardens of Buckingham Palace on the morning of April 10, the day after the couple's 19th wedding anniversary , by portrait photographer Millie Pilkington.

Pilkington also got behind the camera last year to snap the official birthday pictures of Kate Middleton and Prince William 's three children, Prince George ,  Princess Charlotte  and  Prince Louis . She also snapped the image of the Prince of Wales surrounded by his sons and daughter that was released last year to celebrate Father's Day.

King Charles was most recently seen spending time with Queen Camilla in Scotland. On April 21, what would have been  Queen Elizabeth 's 98th birthday, the couple were photographed in a car after attending church at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral Castle, where the royal family traditionally gathers in the summer months.

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The sovereign  made his first major public appearance since his cancer revelation at Easter. After attending a church service at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle with Queen Camilla and other members of the royal family, he greeted well-wishers outside by shaking hands and wishing them a happy holiday.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

A royal source told PEOPLE last month that King Charles was " progressing well " in his cancer treatment and there is an "amplified confidence" amid the sophisticated treatment receiving.

"He is positive, the doctors are optimistic," the source said.

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