King Charles and Queen Camilla to make landmark appearance in Scotland just weeks before royal tour

Charles and Camilla/Scottish Parliament/Crown of Scotland

King Charles and Queen Camilla will be meeting politicians and "local heroes"

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James Saunders

By James Saunders


Published: 09/09/2024

- 17:29

The King and Queen's presence in Edinburgh has been hailed as the duo arrive for the 'significant milestone'

The King and Queen are set for a return to Scotland for a landmark anniversary - just weeks after returning from Balmoral.

As part of the Scottish Parliament's 25th anniversary celebrations, King Charles and Queen Camilla will be meeting politicians and "local heroes" - but the monarch is set for a central role in proceedings.


Charles will be addressing Parliament on September 28 as MSPs celebrate 25 years of the administrative body's re-establishment under Queen Elizabeth II and the British Government's Scotland Act 1998.

Ahead of his speech, the King - alongside Queen Camilla - is slated to meet Scottish First Minister John Swinney and other party leaders in the chamber, who will also make speeches for the anniversary.

King and Queen at State Opening of Parliament

The King and Queen are set for a return to Scotland just weeks after leaving Balmoral

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John Swinney

The King and Queen will meet Scottish First Minister John Swinney - who will also be speaking at the anniversary

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But it's not just political figures - the King and Queen will also be meeting people from across Scotland nominated by MSPs as "local heroes" for their extraordinary contribution to their communities at a reception in Parliament.

The Scottish Parliament's presiding officer Alison Johnstone, who will make the opening remarks in the chamber ahead of the King's speech, as well as meeting the royal couple upon their arrival, hailed the duo's attendance at the "significant milestone".

She said: "25 years of the Scottish Parliament marks a significant milestone in the country's political journey.

"I am delighted that Their Majesties the King and the Queen will join us to mark this special occasion.

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Crown of Scotland

The Crown of Scotland will be carried into the chamber as part of the ceremony

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"This anniversary offers the perfect opportunity for us not only to reflect on the last 25 years but to look to the future and consider how Parliament can continue to best meet the needs of those it serves.

"A cornerstone of this commemorative event will be about recognising the extraordinary contribution people from right across Scotland have made, and continue to make, to their own communities.

"I look forward to welcoming people from all over Scotland for a day of reflection and celebration."

As Charles and Camilla arrive in the Scottish capital, they're set to be greeted by deputy presiding officers, the Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, as well as the aforementioned presiding officer Johnstone.

King and Crown of Scotland

The King, seen here with the Crown of Scotland

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Scottish Parliament

Charles and Camilla will be in Edinburgh for the Scottish Parliament (pictured)'s 25th anniversary

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The Mace and Crown of Scotland will be carried into the chamber as part of a procession to a fanfare sounded by musicians from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

The crown is the centrepiece of the Honours of Scotland - the oldest Crown jewels in Britain - and was placed on the late Queen's coffin as it lay in state in Edinburgh.

Performances by the charity Sistema Scotland, Coisir Alba singers and musician Calum McIlroy will be interspersed throughout the day.

Then, as the King and Queen leave - ahead of their landmark Commonwealth tour to Australia and Samoa - young people from across Scotland will form a guard of honour outside Parliament, lining a part of their route to the nearby Palace of Holyroodhouse.

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