Queen Elizabeth attended the Armed Forces parade today in Edinburgh, in her second public appearance in two days, on the occasion of Scotland’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The event took place at the palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the sovereign in Scotland, where Elizabeth will remain until July 1, reports the BBC. After the mobility problems that had prevented her from attending all the Platinum Jubilee events in England, the 96-year-old sovereign’s visit to Scotland was only confirmed yesterday morning.
Accompanied by her youngest son Edward, with his wife Sophie, the Queen received the keys to the city of Edinburgh yesterday, offered by the Lord Provost. And, as tradition dictates, she immediately returned them as a sign of trust for the local authorities.
Today the sovereign has once again appeared in public for the parade of the act of loyalty and the handing over of the keys to Edinburgh Castle. The event takes place on the 200th anniversary of King George IV’s visit to Scotland in 1822, when the keys to the castle were first presented to a British ruler.
The ceremony began with the presentation to the Queen of senior representatives of the army, navy and air force by Lord Lyon, the ‘king of arms’, the officer in charge of the Scottish heraldry. The Queen was “in great shape” then commented General Alastair Bruce of Crionaich, governor of Edinburgh Castle, who subsequently offered the keys to the sovereign. The queen then returned them “in gratitude for the symbolic act of loyalty of the armed forces.”