King Charles III has spent this week in Scotland for Royal Week, the annual series of engagements that celebrates Scottish culture, community achievement and the historic relationship between the Crown and Scotland.
The week began with one of the country’s most enduring royal traditions – the Ceremony of the Keys at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
The King arrived at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the monarch’s official residence in Scotland, where he was formally welcomed to Edinburgh by the city’s Lord Provost.
During the ceremony, the Lord Provost presented the ceremonial Keys of the City to the King, symbolising the city’s loyalty and welcome. In keeping with tradition, the King immediately returned the keys for safekeeping, acknowledging that their guardianship remains with Edinburgh’s civic leaders.
Matt Allen UK MOD © Crown copyright 2026
The ceremony is one of the highlights of Royal Week, known in Scotland as Holyrood Week, and marks the official start of the monarch’s annual residence in the Scottish capital. The tradition takes place in the forecourt and gardens of Holyroodhouse and has been observed by successive monarchs for generations.
This year’s ceremony featured a Guard of Honour provided by Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland. King Charles received a Royal Salute and inspected the troops before taking part in the presentation of the keys.
Why Are the Keys Handed Over?
Despite appearances, the ceremony does not involve the King taking possession of Edinburgh. Instead, it symbolises a balance between royal authority and civic responsibility.
Traditionally, the Lord Provost presents the keys to the monarch while welcoming them to “your ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland”. The monarch then returns the keys, signifying trust in the city’s elected representatives to continue governing and safeguarding Edinburgh on behalf of its people.
The keys themselves are ceremonial rather than functional, serving as a powerful reminder of Edinburgh’s long history as Scotland’s capital and its relationship with the Crown. The ceremony has become one of the most photographed moments of Royal Week each year.
A Week of Scottish Celebrations
Royal Week sees the monarch undertake a programme of engagements across Scotland, recognising community groups, charities, public servants and individuals who have made significant contributions to Scottish life.
Alongside the Ceremony of the Keys, this year’s programme included an investiture ceremony at Holyroodhouse, a royal garden party attended by thousands of guests, and the traditional service of the Order of the Thistle at St Giles’ Cathedral. The King also attended events marking the 20th anniversary of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse has served as the monarch’s official residence in Scotland for centuries and remains at the heart of Royal Week. Each summer, its gardens welcome thousands of guests who have made notable contributions to their communities, continuing a tradition dating back to the reign of King George V in the early twentieth century.
For many Scots, the Ceremony of the Keys remains a striking blend of pageantry, history and constitutional symbolism – a reminder that while monarchs may come and go, the traditions linking Scotland’s capital and the Crown continue to endure.
Image: MOD Crown Copyright News / Editorial Licence.
