Scotland marks the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla at the end of Edinburgh's annual Royal Week with two processions starting at either end of the Royal Mile (palace and castle).
The King will be presented with the Honours of Scotland (Scotland's crown jewels) at a National Service of Thanksgiving at St Giles’ Cathedral following processions on the Royal Mile.
Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay (Will and Kate) will also attend events.
Two Processions Meet in the Middle
The Honours will be collected from Edinburgh Castle by a People’s Procession, involving around 100 people "representing aspects of Scottish life".
It will be escorted by The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Shetland pony mascot Corporal Cruachan IV and supported by cadet musicians from the Combined Cadet Force Pipes and Drums, 51 Brigade Cadet Military Band.
The Royal Procession will travel from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to the Cathedral. There will be opportunities for the public to view the People’s Procession and the Royal Procession along the Royal Mile.
Events will also be broadcast on television and the National Service of Dedication and Thanksgiving will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
A 21-Gun Salute 12 Regiment Royal Artillery will fire from Edinburgh Castle at the end of the St Giles’ Service, before the Royal Procession travels back to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Timings
- 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
- 1515 - Service ends
- 1520 - King and Queen exit St Giles. Royal Gun Salute from Edinburgh Castle
- 1540 - RAF flypast
Stone of Destiny
The Stone of Destiny will be in St Giles’ Cathedral for the service. There will also be a fly past by the Red Arrows following the event (weather permitting).
The People's Procession will be represented by charities, youth groups (scouts, guides), and Scottish cultural organisations (see below).
The Royal Procession will include musical accompaniment from the Royal Marine Band (Scotland) and the Pipes, Drums and Bugles of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS).
The Honours of Scotland will be escorted from Edinburgh Castle by The King’s Body Guard for Scotland, the Royal Company of Archers (known as the Royal Company) and a Guard of Honour formed by contingents of the Navy, Army and Royal Air Force. The 21 Gun Saluting troop will be 12 Regiment Royal Artillery.
There will be public viewing opportunities along the pavements of the Royal Mile and outside the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
People's Procession Participants
- Corporal Cruachan IV (a Shetland pony) the mascot of The Royal Regiment of Scotland
- Angus & Dundee Battalion ACF
- Assembly of the Feudal Baronage
- Bakers
- 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
- Coopers
- Cordiners
- Clydeview Academy
- Dogs Trust
- Duke of Edinburgh's Award
- Fleshers
- Girls' Brigade in Scotland
- Glasgow Life – Museums
- Goldsmiths
- Heraldry Society of Scotland
- National Museums Scotland
- National Piping Centre
- National Trust
- National Services Scotland,
- NHS
- Northern Lighthouse Board
- Police Roll of Honour Trust
- Princes Trust
- Representation for the Refugee Community
- RNID
- RNLI
- 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
- Samaritans
- ScotRail
- 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
- Surgeons
- Tailors
- Trades Houses of Scotland
- Weavers
- Wrights
Royal Procession participants
The Royal Procession will be preceded by musical accompaniment from the Royal Marine Band (Scotland), the Pipes, Drums and Bugles of the 2nd Battalion and mounted troops from the 1st Division of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
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.
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.
Traffic restrictions
It's strongly advised to avoid travelling if you can through the city centre as traffic restrictions will be in place in Edinburgh on the 4th and 5th July.