Watch King Charles’s Edinburgh procession and today’s schedule in full
King Charles will be honoured in a second ceremony today as he receives the Honours of Scotland, otherwise known as the Scottish Crown Jewels.
The Scottish crown has been in existence for hundreds of years, and the line has included famous names such as Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots.
It comes two months after a lavish ceremony in Westminster Abbey marked the King’s coronation.
What can we expect from the coronation?
Scotland is to mark the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla with a series of events including a service of thanksgiving, a royal procession and a Red Arrows flypast.
The royal couple are making a week-long visit north of the border, with the King following in the footsteps of his late mother Elizabeth II, who did a similar tour in 1953.
The key event will be held on 5 July in Edinburgh, when a national service of thanksgiving will take place at St Giles’ Cathedral and a procession held along the capital’s Royal Mile.
A 21-gun salute will fire from Edinburgh Castle at the end of the service, with the Red Arrows also staging a flypast, with further details due to be released in the coming weeks.
During the thanksgiving service, King Charles will be presented with the crown, sceptre and sword of state that comprise the Honours of Scotland, the UK’s oldest crown jewels.
The Honours will be collected from Edinburgh Castle by a “people’s procession” involving around 100 people who have been chosen to represent all aspects of Scottish life.
The procession will include Corporal Cruachan IV, a Shetland pony who is the mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, with those taking part accompanied by a military band.
Others involved include a selection of charities, members of the Scottish Youth Parliament, the Princes Foundation and the Princes Trust, as well as Girl Guides and Scouts.
The procession will be escorted by the King’s Bodyguard for Scotland, the Royal Company of Archers and a Guard of Honour formed by contingents of the Navy, Army and RAF.
A separate royal procession will also travel from the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the foot of the Royal Mile to St Giles, with members of the public allowed to line the street to observe.
The Stone of Destiny, which is usually kept at Edinburgh Castle but was transferred to Westminster Abbey for the coronation last month, will be moved to St Giles for the service.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, will also attend events during the King and Queen’s visit.
First Minister, Humza Yousaf, said of the event earlier: “Scotland will welcome the new King and Queen in July with a series of events to mark the coronation.
“Representatives from many different communities and organisations in Scotland will take part in these historic events.
“People who wish to mark this historic occasion can get involved by watching broadcast coverage or viewing events in person. We will issue more information confirming how members of the public can access events in the coming weeks.”
What time is the Scottish coronation?
The festivities will start just after 1.15pm with a people’s procession of around 100 community groups.
The service will then commence at 2.10pm at St Giles’ Cathedral after the royal procession arrives at the historic location.
Key timings:
- 1.15pm: People’s procession leaves from Edinburgh Castle Esplanade
- 1.30pm: People’s procession arrives at St Giles’ Cathedral
- 1.40pm: The Honours of Scotland leave Edinburgh Castle Esplanade
- 1.40pm: Military pipe and drums bands and the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment move from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to West Parliament Square
- 1.50pm: The Honours of Scotland 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
- 3.15pm: Service ends
- 3.20pm: The King and Queen exit St Giles’ to Gun Salute from Edinburgh Castle
- 3.27pm: Royal party arrive at Palace of Holyroodhouse
- 3.40pm: RAF flypast down the Royal Mile
How can I watch it?
Some will be able to see the processions in person, but most will have to watch from home.
You can watch it right here on the above live stream.
The entire event will be broadcast on BBC One starting at 1.30pm. Anyone looking to watch online can do so via the BBC iPlayer, and there will be a special show on Radio 3.
It will be hosted by Sally Magnusson and James Naughtie, who will provide commentary and context for what is happening.
Viewers will also be treated to music from Nicola Benedetti, Karen Cargill and the National Youth Choir of Scotland.
