King charles second coronation in scotland queen camilla kate middleton prince william service of thanksgiving 20230706 p5qk6g.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
Advertisement
Advertisement
This was published 3 years ago

King Charles joined by Queen Camilla, Prince William and Catherine during second coronation in Scotland

Natalie Oliveri
Natalie Oliveri

King Charles III has celebrated his coronation for the second time, just two months after he was crowned in London.

Scotland put on a day of pomp, pageantry and prayer during a Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication held in his honour in Edinburgh.

The King was joined by Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland.

Advertisement

READ MORE: The poignant meaning behind Kate's Scotland coronation outfit

King Charles and Queen Camilla, with the Prince and Princess of Wales, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse after a National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication. Getty

During the service inside St Giles Cathedral, the monarch was presented with the symbols of his authority in Scotland – the Crown, the Sceptre and the Sword of State.

The royal family later watched a flypast by the RAF Red Arrows from the Palace of Holyroodhouse while a 21-Gun Salute was fired from Edinburgh Castle.

READ MORE: Kate joins Roger Federer on day two of Wimbledon, gets caught in rain

But the day was marred slightly by anti-monarchy protesters who chanted "not my King" so loudly, they could be heard from inside the cathedral during the quieter moments. Four were later arrested.

The King's coronation was celebrated inside St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. AP

The King and Queen didn't let the demonstrators get in the way of the proceedings, which was strengthened by the thousands of crowds who lined the streets of Edinburgh in support of the royals.

Advertisement

The day began with a People's Procession along the Royal Mile, which saw 100 people take part lead by Corporal Cruachan IV, the Shetland pony regimental mascot of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

READ MORE: Why King Charles is having a second coronation, this time in Scotland

The royal family arrived by car at St Giles' Cathedral for the Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication, where the King was presented with the Honours of Scotland – the oldest Crown Jewels in Britain.

The Crown of Scotland presented to King Charles during the service. via REUTERS

Advertisement
Advertisement

They include the Crown of Scotland, the Sceptre and the Sword of State.

The new Elizabeth Sword – named in honour of the late monarch – was commissioned to replace the previous Sword of State as it had become too fragile, having been given to James IV by Pope Julius in 1507.

The 7.5 kg sword was carried into the cathedral by Olympic rower Dame Katherine Grainger.

The Elizabeth Sword carried by Dame Katherine Grainger. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Advertisement

Mary, Queen of Scots was the first monarch to be invested with the Honours of Scotland, in 1543.

The King, Queen and Prince William wore their deep green Order of the Thistle mantles representing the highest order of chivalry in Scotland.

It was the first time Queen Camilla had worn the robes after she was appointed to the order in June by the King.

Queen Camilla wore the Order of the Thistle robe. Getty

Advertisement
Advertisement

The thistle is the national emblem of Scotland.

Under her velvet robe, Queen Camilla wore a long white dress by Bruce Oldfield, who also designed her coronation gown.

King Charles wore his Royal Navy Admiral of the Fleet uniform, while Prince William wore his RAF No.1 uniform.

The Princess of Wales wore a coat by Catherine Walker in the same shade of blue as the Scottish flag, a Philip Treacy hat and matching heels by Emmy London.

Advertisement

The Princess of Wales dressed in the colours of the Scottish flag with jewels owned by the late Queen and Princess Diana. via REUTERS

Her pearl and diamond necklace is from the collection of the late Queen Elizabeth II and was last worn to Her Majesty's funeral in September.

The Four Row Japanese Pearl Choker was also worn by Catherine to the funeral of Prince Philip in 2021.

Kate also wore the Collingwood pearl drop earrings which belonged to her late mother-in-law Diana, Princess of Wales.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The royal family watch a flypast from the Palace of Holyroodhouse after the service. AP

Inside the cathedral, the King and Queen were seated on large wooden chairs next to the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The historic Stone of Destiny was brought into the cathedral just hours before the service and was later returned to Edinburgh Castle.

The Right Reverend Sally Foster-Fulton delivered the sermon which had a distinct environmental theme, which has long been a topic of great importance to the King.

Advertisement

The King's Life Guard of the Household Cavalry proceeding down the Royal Mile during the People's Procession. via REUTERS

The tradition of a Scottish coronation dates back 400 years.

In 1953, weeks after Queen Elizabeth II was crowned inside Westminster Abbey in London, she celebrated her coronation for the second time in Edinburgh.

Most viewed in Royals

More to explore