King Charles receives Scottish Crown Jewels in honour marking coronation
Today's service in Edinburgh marks the coronation with a "distinctly Scottish flavour", ITV News' Peter Smith reports
King Charles and Queen Camilla were presented with the Scottish Crown Jewels in a special ceremony to mark the coronation.
Hundreds of military personnel marched through Edinburgh today before the new monarch receives a crown, sceptre and a sword made of gold, silver and gems at St Giles’ Cathedral.
A special Red Arrows flypast zoomed over the Scottish city after the ceremony to mark the occasion.
Known collectively as the Honours of Scotland, they are the oldest surviving set of Crown Jewels in Britain.
Following Charles III’s official coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6, these Scottish jewels were presented as part of a longstanding tradition dating back to the 1800s.
Crowds gathered early on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile to watch the procession, with visitors from as far away as New Zealand and the US hoping to catch a glimpse of the King.
However, not everyone was so enthused to see him, with anti-monarchy protesters also gathering outside the High Court building, chanting: "Not my King."
Protest group This Is Rigged said its supporters were arrested at celebrations "for simply wearing kilts with ‘This Is Rigged’ printed on the back".
Police Scotland has arrested two women – aged 20 and 21 - after they allegedly attempted to climb over a crowd safety barrier on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, the service said in a tweet this afternoon.
Anti-monarchy group Republic claimed three protesters were arrested. In a tweet the group said it was "demanding the immediate release of those arrested for peaceful protest".
Our Republic, another protest group, issued a statement earlier saying: “The vast majority of Scotland didn’t care to celebrate the coronation in May, with support for the monarchy at an all-time low in Scotland.
"Charles’ perpetual need to celebrate his reign, with all the pomp and pageantry it requires, is a spit in the face to the people struggling with the cost of living.”
Pictures of the King and Royal family at the National service of Thanksgiving and Dedication at St Giles’ Cathedral shared by their official Twitter account
More than 700 members of the Armed Forces took part in a procession, led by Shetland pony Corporal Cruachan IV.
The mascot of The Royal Regiment of Scotland was joined by personnel from The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the Army Cadet Force.
The ceremony itself featured personnel from across the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS), and Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry.
Musicians from across the Armed Forces took part in the event, including personnel from Royal Marines Band Scotland, Band SCOTS and Pipes and Drums from the Army and RAF.
As well as centuries-old aspects of Scottish royal tradition, the ceremony featured some new additions, including specially written pieces of music, a psalm sung in Gaelic, and passages from the New Testament in Scots.
Violinist Nicola Benedetti was among the musicians playing, while Olympic rower Dame Katherine Grainger had the responsibility of carrying the Elizabeth Sword.
The newly crafted blade, named after the late Queen, was presented to the King at Wednesday's ceremony and will be used for more ceremonial events in the future.
It was created as a replacement for the Sword of State, given to James IV by Pope Julius in 1507, which is in a deteriorating condition.
Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf gave a reading at the service, while others attending from the world of politics included Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton.
Among the congregation were individuals from the people’s procession, a group around 100-strong reflecting all aspects of Scottish society from the arts and politics, to education, civil society and business, including charities which the King supports as patron.
Following the ceremony, Charles and Camilla were received by another a Guard of Honour.
As the royal party left the cathedral to return to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, 12 Regiment Royal Artillery fired a 21-gun salute from the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle.
The RAF Red Arrows then flew over the Royal Mile past the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle as the huge military procession continued to parade through the city's streets.
A tri-service Guard of Honour will receive the King and Queen, and The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay – as William and Kate are known as in Scotland - at the Palace of Holyroodhouse ahead of the service of thanksgiving and dedication.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “Scotland’s Armed Forces will play a key role in the service to present The King and Queen with the Honours of Scotland. It is right and fitting that they do."
Timings
1.15pm: People’s Procession leaves Edinburgh Castle Esplanade 1.30pm: People’s Procession arrives at West Parliament Square 1.40pm: The Honours of Scotland (Crown Jewels) leave the Castle Esplanade under military and police escort 1.40pm: Military bands and Household Cavalry Mounted Regiments depart from Palace of Holyroodhouse to West Parliament Square 1.50pm: The Honours arrive at West Parliament Square 2.05pm: Royal Procession leaves the Palace of Holyroodhouse 2.10pm: Royal Procession arrives at St Giles’ Cathedral 2.15pm: National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication begins - order of service attached 3.15pm: Service ends 3.20pm: King and Queen exit St Giles. Royal Gun Salute from Edinburgh Castle 3.40pm: RAF flypast
He continued: “Having been such a crucial part of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, they will now be central to this important moment for King Charles.
"I very much look forward to seeing our military personnel at their very best.”
Service personnel last took part in the presentation of the Honours of Scotland in 1953, when they were presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The presentation of the Honours of Scotland marks the dedication of the King and Queen in Scotland and has origins dating back to the 1800s, when they were presented to King George IV.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “Today is a historic day for Scotland and a proud day for the hundreds of service personnel involved who will be at the forefront of the occasion, showcasing their world-class drill and ceremonial duties once again.
“The Armed Forces have a strong and deep-rooted connection to Scotland, so it is only fitting that they lead the formal proceedings of the day in such a spectacular way.
The public festivities are likely to be personally moving for Charles, who will stand on roughly the same spot where he stood vigil last year, watching over his mother’s coffin with the crown of Scotland resting on its lid.
“I think it would be extraordinary if that didn’t have an impact on him or on any human being,” said George Gross, a visiting research fellow in theology at King’s College London.
“It’s very important in bringing the union together, just as after his mother died, after the late queen died, he did various services around the Union, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, so on. So he will be doing the same here. This is bringing things together.”
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