King Charles III arrives in Holyrood in a helicopter placeholder image
King Charles III arrives in Holyrood in a helicopter | Aaron Chown/PA Wire

In pictures: King Charles attends Ceremony of the Keys in Edinburgh as Royal Week gets under way

The King and Queen are in the capital today to begin their annual week of engagements in Scotland.

King Charles is in Edinburgh for a series of events known as Royal Week, which happens every year in July and celebrates Scottish culture, achievement, and community.

The King's first engagement on Tuesday morning was the traditional Ceremony of the Keys, which takes place every year in the gardens of Palace Holyroodhouse, his official residence.

The ceremony began shortly after he arrived by helicopter. He was greeted to a guard of honour provided by Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The King then took part in a centuries-old tradition where he received the keys to the city, marking the start of his stay. The keys, held on a red cushion, were presented by Lord Provost Robert Aldridge to the King, who returned them for safe keeping.

Mr Aldridge said: “We, the Lord Provost and members of the City of Edinburgh Council, welcome Your Majesty to the capital city of your ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland, and offer for your gracious acceptance the keys of Your Majesty’s good city of Edinburgh.”

In return, Charles gave the traditional reply: “I return these keys perfectly convinced that they cannot be placed in better hands than those of the Lord Provost and councillors of my good city of Edinburgh.”

Scroll through our gallery of images of the King’s arrival and the Ceremony of the Keys.

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