King Charles dons a traditional tartan kilt as he visits Scotland
When in Scotland! King Charles dons a traditional tartan kilt and sporran as he visits Kinneil House in Falkirk ahead of his Coronation 2.0 which will see him become country’s Head of State
- READ MORE: King Charles ‘removes part of the late Queen’s huge collection of equestrian ornaments on display in her private rooms’
King Charles has arrived in Scotland for Royal Week as he marks a series of ‘firsts’ since he ascended the throne.
The monarch, 74, visited Kinneil House in Bo’ness, Falkirk, to meet representatives from charities including his own, The Princes Trust, as well as Cycling Without Age Scotland and Sustainable Thinking Scotland.
Dressed in a traditional tartan kilt and sporran, he was welcomed by crowds upon his arrival at the house, where he will view the cylinder of the engine erected by famed Scottish engineer James Watt.
The house and nearby James Watt Cottage were the setting for the engineer’s secret development work on the prototype steam engine in 1765-73.
The King will also plant a tree to commemorate the centenary of the estate becoming a public park and meet charity representatives and beneficiaries.
King Charles has arrived in Scotland for Royal Week as he marks a series of ‘firsts’ since he ascended the throne
Later today, Charles will also attend the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where he will take part in his first ever Ceremony of the Keys as monarch.
What is the Ceremony of the Keys?
As part of the Ceremony of the Keys, the King is welcomed into the city of Edinburgh, His Majesty’s ‘ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland’, by the Lord Provost, who offers him the keys of the city.
The monarch then ceremoniously returns the keys, entrusting them to the elected officials of the city.
He also inspects a guard of honour, provided by the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Holyrood week celebrates Scottish culture, history and achievement.
This evening, the King and Queen Camilla, 75, will attend a reception on the Royal Yacht Britannia, to mark 25 years since her arrival in Edinburgh.
The Ceremony of the Keys is keenly-observed tradition within the Royal Family in which the monarch is handed the keys to the city of Edinburgh each year.
It sees the monarch handed the keys of the city and welcomed to his ‘ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland’.
In 2022, Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II travelled to Edinburgh to be present at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for what was her final Ceremony of the Keys, despite winding back her official duties due to mobility issues.
The late monarch, who passed away in September 2022, and had a deep love for Scotland, was joined by Prince Edward and Sophie – who have since assumed the titles of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh following her death.
Dressed in a powder blue silk wool coat and dress by Stewart Parvin, paired with a hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan, the Queen was symbolically offered the keys to the city by Edinburgh Lord Provost Robert Aldridge.
The tradition dictates that the monarch returns them, entrusting their safekeeping to the city’s elected officials.
The Guard of Honour was provided by the Balaklava Company, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, which was inspected by Edward on the forecourt of the palace during the ceremony.
Music was provided by the pipes and drums of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
King Charles III shakes hands with Michelle Thompson MSP as he meets staff and Prince’s Trust representatives during his visit to Kinneil House in Edinburgh
The King meets staff and Prince’s Trust representatives during his visit to Kinneil House in Edinburgh
King Charles III greets the Bo’ness Fair Queen, Lexi Scotland, during his visit to Kinneil House in Edinburgh, marking the first Holyrood Week since his coronation
Source: Read Full Article