The King and Queen have attended the opening of the new Scottish Parliament, with the debating chamber playing host to pageantry and poetry readings.
The ceremony marked the beginning of the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament since its establishment in 1999.
The day began with the Crown of Scotland being escorted down the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle, before being taken into Parliament alongside the Elizabeth Sword through a guard of honour made up of young people.
Following the arrival of Charles and Camilla in the debating chamber, the ceremony began with a fanfare performed by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland brass ensemble.
The mace, Crown and sword was carried into the chamber in a procession featuring three Team Scotland athletes preparing to compete in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer.
Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson then gave his opening remarks, before Charles himself addressed the chamber to formally open the parliamentary session.
First Minister John Swinney then responded to the King’s address before the King and Queen met local heroes nominated by MSPs for their “extraordinary contribution” to local communities.
Have a look at some of the best images from the event in our picture gallery.
5. King Charles III and Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson MSP in the Debating Chamber during the opening of the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. Picture date: Saturday June 27, 2026.
King Charles III and Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson MSP in the Debating Chamber during the opening of the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh | PA
6. (Left-right) First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Reform UK Scotland leader Malcolm Offord, Scottish Green Party co-leader Gillian Mackay, Scottish Conservatives leader Russell Findlay and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton in the Garden Lobby ahead of the opening of the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. Picture date: Saturday June 27, 2026.
(Left-right) First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Reform UK Scotland leader Malcolm Offord, Scottish Green Party co-leader Gillian Mackay, Scottish Conservatives leader Russell Findlay and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton in the Garden Lobby ahead of the opening of the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. | PA
7. King Charles III is greeted by First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney (second right), as Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson (left) and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar (right) look on in the Garden Lobby ahead of the opening of the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. Picture date: Saturday June 27, 2026.
King Charles III is greeted by First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney (second right), as Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson (left) and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar (right) look on in the Garden Lobby ahead of the opening of the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. | PA
8. King Charles III, Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson and Queen Camilla depart following the opening of the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. Picture date: Saturday June 27, 2026.
King Charles III, Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson and Queen Camilla depart following the opening of the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. | PA