Scotland honours King and Queen with procession to mark the coronation

A procession in Edinburgh kicked off the day’s events while protesters made their voices heard.

The Elizabeth sword (Andrew Milligan/PA) (PA Wire)

Celebrations to mark the King and Queen’s coronation have begun in Scotland with a people’s procession through the streets of Edinburgh.

The nation saw Charles and Camilla crowned just eight weeks ago during an ancient ceremony where the monarch gave a pledge to “serve”.

Now a service of thanksgiving and dedication for the King and Queen will take place at St Giles’ Cathedral in the Scottish capital, where the monarch will be presented with the Honours of Scotland, the country’s crown jewels.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, will be among those at the event as will the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf will give a reading during the service, while others attending from the world of politics include Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton

The service will feature centuries-old aspects of Scottish royal tradition along with new additions such as pieces of music written specially for the occasion, a psalm sung in Gaelic and the use of passages from the New Testament in Scots.

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, will preach the sermon and then provide a blessing to close the service.

Others involved will include violinist Nicola Benedetti, who will be among the musicians playing, and Olympic rower Dame Katherine Grainger who will carry the Elizabeth Sword which is being used in place of the Sword of State.

Among the congregation will be 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.

Major General Alastair Bruce, governor of Edinburgh Castle, watched the procession set off from the fortress’ esplanade, and it was joined by four mounted elements of the Scots Dragoon Guards, the Pipes & Drums of Robert Gordon’s Combined Cadet Force and the 51 Brigade Cadet Military Band.

Crowds lining crash barriers along Edinburgh’s famous royal mile to watch Corporal Cruachan IV, the Shetland pony regimental mascot of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, leading the men of women in the procession.

Among those represented were NHS Scotland, celebrating its 75th anniversary, the Robert Burns World Federation, College of Master Kilt Tailors, the Scottish Parliament, the Prince’s Trust, Glasgow Life – museums and the Trades Houses of Scotland, from coopers to goldsmiths.

The Honours of Scotland, crown, sword of state and sceptre, will soon follow escorted by military personnel from across the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force and the Royal Company of Archers, who act as the King’s body guard in Scotland.

The crown jewels of Scotland were used as coronation regalia for Mary, Queen of Scots, James VI, Charles I and Charles II.

The crown was refashioned in its current form for James V in 1540 by an Edinburgh goldsmith, the sceptre and original sword were papal gifts to James IV but due to its predecessor’s fragile condition a new Elizabeth sword, named after the late Queen, will be used.

Republican groups protested in Edinburgh, with Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, saying ahead of the service: “Everyone in the UK should have the right to choose our head of state – not be told it will be Charles.

“Charles does not represent the people of Scotland any more than he represents the rest of the UK.”