King and Queen Lead Royal Week Celebrations Across Scotland

King Charles III and Queen Consort led Royal Week in Scotland, featuring traditional ceremonies, cultural events, and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award presentations.

Royal Week Commences with Traditional Events in Edinburgh

The King and Queen have commenced the annual Royal Week in Scotland, also known as Holyrood Week, which celebrates Scottish culture, community, and achievements during the first week of July.

The week began with King Charles III participating in the Ceremony of the Keys at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, his official Scottish residence. This was followed by a formal ceremony at St Giles' Cathedral and a garden party held at Holyrood Park.

King Charles III wearing a grey suit with a white shirt and red and green striped tie. He is walking through the Palace Guard - a line of soldiers, wearing black uniforms. — Image caption, King Charles III arrived in Edinburgh for the start of Royal Week

King Charles III wearing a grey suit and white shirt places his hand on a red cushion held by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh Robert Aldridge, who wears glasses and a dark-coloured suit. — Image caption, The Lord Provost of Edinburgh Robert Aldridge presented the keys to the City of Edinburgh to King Charles III during the Ceremony of the Keys at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, presented the keys to the City of Edinburgh to King Charles III during the Ceremony of the Keys at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

King Charles III, followed by Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Princess Royal and Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, walks down the steps at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh as they arrive to attend the Garden Party. John Swinney, in Highland dress, is with them. They are all dressed in morning wear. — Image caption, The King and Queen were joined at Holyrood by the Princess Royal, the Duke of Edinburgh, and First Minister John Swinney

The King and Queen were accompanied at Holyrood by the Princess Royal, the Duke of Edinburgh, and First Minister John Swinney.

Garden Party and Order of the Thistle Service

The annual Garden Party provided an opportunity for invited members of the public to meet the King and other members of the Royal Family.

A crowd of people outside Holyroodhouse meet the King. He is smiling and holding the hand of a woman in a formal dress. The King is in a morning suit and top hat. — Image caption, The Garden Party gives invited members of the public the chance to meet the King and other members of the Royal Family

Following the garden party, the King and Queen, along with the Duke of Rothesay, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, attended the Service of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh.

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Queen Camilla and King Charles III attend the Thistle Service at St Giles' Cathedral. They are in ceremonial robes and are singing from sheets. — Image caption, The King and Queen were joined by the Duke of Rothesay and the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, for the Service of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh

Among those present at the biennial ceremony were Lord Robertson of Port Ellen and Lord Steel of Aikwood, members of the Order of the Thistle.

Lord Robertson of Port Ellen and Lord Steel of Aikwood in the green robes of the Order of the Thistle, walk though Parliament Square. — Image caption, Lord Robertson of Port Ellen and Lord Steel of Aikwood were among the members of the Order of the Thistle who attended the biennial ceremony

Commemorating the Royal Regiment of Scotland

Major General Robert Lindsay, Colonel of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, assisted King Charles III, who serves as Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment, in unveiling a statue commemorating the Regiment's 20th anniversary.

The King and a soldier in full ceremonial dress, unveil a statue of a lion. — Image caption, Colonel of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, Major General Robert Lindsay (left) helped the King, who is Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment, to unveil a statue to mark its 20th anniversary.

Visit to Jedburgh and Traditional Hand Ba' Game

The Royal couple traveled to the Borders region, where the King met with local children in Jedburgh.

The King meeting local children. They are waving flags and looking happy and he is chatting away to them. Jedburgh Abbey can be seen in the background. — Image caption, The week involved a trip to Jedburgh, where the King met local children

The visit coincided with the annual tradition of the Jedburgh hand ba' game, a historic event played by groups of men from the town.

King Charles III is held back by a man in uniform and a man with a bald head as a group of men grapple for a ball in front of him — Image caption, The visit to Jedburgh coincided with the annual tradition of hand ba', played by groups of men from the town

Conclusion of Royal Week with Duke of Edinburgh's Award Ceremony

The week concluded with celebrations for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Gold Award at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which hosted young people from across Scotland and northern England.

A group of people including Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor sit with other VIPs in the gardens of Holyroodhouse. There are many young people in the background. — Image caption, The week culminated with Gold Award celebrations for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, hosting young people from across Scotland and the north of England.

Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, presented the Gold Award, created by his late father Prince Philip, to recipients including his daughter, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, who had recently graduated from the University of St Andrews.