Over 700 members of the Armed Forces led the ceremonial elements of the National Service of Thanksgiving on the occasion of the Presentation of the Honours of Scotland to The King and Queen, at St Giles’ Cathedral in Scotland yesterday.
King Charles was presented with Scotland’s crown jewels in a ceremony to mark his Coronation which included receiving the crown and sceptre which form part of the Honours of Scotland.
The national thanksgiving service at St Giles’ Cathedral also featured a new sword named after the late Queen Elizabeth.
The Honours of Scotland are the oldest Crown jewels in Britain. They consist of the Crown of Scotland, the Sceptre, and the Sword of State. Made of gold, silver and precious gems, the priceless crown, sceptre and sword of state are objects of immense significance.
Military personnel led a procession along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile that featured 100 members of the public representing all aspects of Scottish life.
This was closely followed by personnel from across the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force who escorted the Crown, the sword and sceptre through the Scottish capital.
The procession included four mounted elements of the SCOTS Dragoon Guards, the Pipes & Drums of Robert Gordon’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF), 51 Brigade Cadet Military Band and the mascot of The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS), Cpl Cruachan IV a Shetland pony.
Also, on parade was Edinburgh Garrison Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) Ruaridh Tuach SCOTS. The Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry (SNIY) provided a Quarter Guard in Crown Square as the Honours began their journey to St Gile’s Cathedral, receiving a fanfare from Royal Marine Band (Scotland) as they reached the Drawbridge.
The Tri-Service Guard of Honour (GoH) escorting the Honours was accompanied by The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland (Band SCOTS) and included Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (BKA Coy, 5 SCOTS).
The Pipes, Drums and Bugles of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS) led members of The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR) from the Palace of Holyrood House (PHH) to St Giles – a spectacular element of the procession.
The event was rounded off by a 21-gun salute at Edinburgh Castle and a Red Arrows flypast.
