The Queen has made her first public appearance since the Platinum Jubilee weekend, by attending the Ceremony of the Keys at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
Her Majesty was seen pictured alongside The Earl and Countess of Wessex (or The Earl and Countess of Forfaras, as they are known in Scotland) for the event.
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
The 96 year old monarch was in Edinburgh with members of her family for their traditional week of events north of the border, known Holyrood Week.
Dressed in a pale blue coat and dress by Stewart Parvin, paired with a hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan, The Queen was seen beaming on the courtyard of the Palace. The ceremony of the keys sees the Monarch being handed the keys of the city and welcomed to her ‘ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland’.
The tradition highlights that the Monarch returns the keys, entrusting their safekeeping to the city’s elected officials.
“We welcome Your Majesty to the Capital City of your Ancient and Hereditary Kingdom of Scotland and offer for your gracious acceptance the Keys of Your Majesty’s good City of Edinburgh.”
The Queen returned to Edinburgh today, attending the Ceremony of the Keys at Holyroodhouse (Royal Family)
She replies: “I return these keys, being perfectly convinced that they cannot be placed in better hands than those of the Lord Provost and Councillors of my good City of Edinburgh.”
A Guard of Honour was provided by the Balaklava Company, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Music was also 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.
The Monarch wore the badges of these regiments for the occasion.
During today’s event, Her Majesty was seen using a walking stick, which she has used during recent engagements as she continues to suffer from mobility issues.
Last week, The Queen was photographed twice whilst carrying out engagements, first with the Archbishop of Canterbury and secondly with Australian governor of New South Wales.
Her three working children – Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Edward – will all take part in a series of engagements in Scotland over the course of the week.
However, Andrew, known as the Earl of Inverness in Scotland, no longer carries out public duties and will not be involved.
The trip to Scotland comes after the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for The Queen last month; a message shared said she was ‘humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee‘.
Mobility issues prevented The Queen from attending all of the Platinum Jubilee events, such as the Service of Thanksgiving, but watched some of them from Windsor Castle. The Berkshire castle has become her main residence since the start of the COVID pandemic.
