The Queen Kicks Off Holyrood Week In Edinburgh

Her Majesty The Queen has taken part in a traditional ceremony to formally launch Holyrood Week in Scotland. 

During the Ceremony of the Keys, the Queen is welcomed to Edinburgh - 'your ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland' - by the Lord Provost, who symbolically offers her the keys of the city. 

Following the tradition, the monarch chooses not to accept them, offering instead her vote of confidence to the officials of the city.

She then inspects the guard of honour at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, her official residence in Scotland.

For the occasion, the Guard was of Balaklava Company, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

This year, Her Majesty will mark 70 years as Colonel in Chief of the infantry regiment and Royal Colonel of the Company. 

The Queen receives the keys from Edinburgh's Lord Provost Frank Ross.

What is Holyrood Week?

Each year, the Queen spends a week in Scotland, visiting various regions and hosting events at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in recognition of their work.

Known as 'Royal Week' in Scotland, it normally takes place from the end of June to the beginning of July and it celebrates the community.

It includes an investiture, which recognises Scottish residents who have made a significant contribution to their society, and a garden party.

This year, poet laureate Professor Carol Ann Duffy, tennis star Gordon Reid and social entrepreneur Joshua Littlejohn are among those being honoured.

John Park Campbell, chairman of Glenrath Farms in the Borders, is also being knighted for services to farming and charitable service to entrepreneurship.

It was Queen Victoria who began this tradition, and every Monarch has maintained it since.

 

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The Queen will also undertake a number of engagements, which vary every year.

She has previously visited the a housing development for disabled veterans, opened a Technology and Innovation Centre at The University of Strathclyde and visited the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow.