King Charles III presented with Scottish Crown Jewels

King Charles III, 74, received a crown, sword of state and sceptre which form part of the Honours of Scotland.

The crown jewels were presented to the King by the Very Reverend Prof David Fergusson, Dean of the Chapel Royal and Dean of the Order of the Thistle.

Charles and his wife Queen Camilla are in Scotland as part of a week of official engagements, staying at their official residence the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

A new sword named after the late Queen Elizabeth was also featured during the national thanksgiving service at St Giles’ Cathedral.

The royal couple also met by groups of anti-monarchy protesters, shouting “Not my king.”

The Police Scotland later confirmed four people were arrested during the event and a further four were issued with a recorded police warning.

The crown jewels were brought from Edinburgh Castle to St Giles’ before the service in a procession down the Royal Mile involving about 100 people from various aspects of Scottish life.

More than 700 members of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force were part of the procession.

The service of thanksgiving and dedication was attended by Charles’s eldest son and heir Prince William and his wife Kate, (known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland) and other senior royals.

The Stone of Destiny – which was taken to London for the King’s Coronation at Westminster Abbey in May – has been returned to Edinburgh and also played a part in the service.

A 21-gun salute was fired from Edinburgh Castle before the royal procession travels back to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Charles’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died at the royal family’s private Scottish Highland retreat, Balmoral, in September last year aged 96.

Her body was brought to Edinburgh and lay in state at St Giles’ Cathedral, before being flown south to London for a state funeral.

Updated: 06 Jul 2023, 12:26 AM IST