Holyrood Week RECAP: King Charles makes third outfit change of the day for Garden Party

King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived in the Scottish capital to conduct royal engagements to celebrate Holyrood Week.

By Hanisha Sethi, News Reporter, Christopher Sharp, News Reporter

Queen Camilla

Queen Camilla celebrates Scottish Literacy (Image: Getty)

King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived in the Scottish capital for 'Holyrood Week' also known as 'Royal Week' in Scotland to celebrate Scottish culture, achievements, and people who have contributed greatly to the community.

The engagements normally take place from the end of June to the beginning of July - however, this week will be shorter than in previous years, and last from July 2-5, as the General Election has meant the Royal Family has postponed any engagements "which may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign".

The King will begin his official engagements in Scotland by being welcomed into the city. He will inspect a guard of honour in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Gardens, and then he will attend the Ceremony of the Keys, a unique engagement where he will be presented with the keys to the city.

Then an Investiture will take place at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, which recognises Scottish residents who have made a significant impact to their society. This is followed by a celebration hosted by the Queen to promote Scottish literacy, and a Garden Party where the King and Queen will also be accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

On July 3, the King, accompanied by Prince William and The Duchess of Edinburgh, will attend the Thistle Service at St Giles’ Cathedral, for the installation of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh to the Order of The Thistle.

This week, the King and Queen will also be part of a huge celebration to mark the 900th anniversary of the city of Edinburgh.

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King and Queen meeting guests at the Sovereign's Garden Party

King Charles and Queen Camilla have been photographed meeting guests at this year's Sovereign's Garden Party as part of 'Royal Week', also known as 'Holyrood Week'.Unlike previous years, this year's 'Royal Week' will be shorter than previous years and only last from July 2 until July 5. The King began his official engagements earlier today.

King Charles meeting guests at the Sovereign's Garden Party

King Charles meeting guests at the Sovereign's Garden Party (Image: PA)

Queen Camilla meeting guests at the Sovereign's Garden Party

Queen Camilla meeting guests at the Sovereign's Garden Party (Image: PA)

Prince Edward attend Holyrood garden party

Prince Edward attended the Sovereign's Garden Party at Holyrood House alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla.

The Duke of Edinburgh attended the garden party as part of Royal Week.

Prince Edward at Holyrood House

Prince Edward spoke to guests attending the garden party (Image: PA)

King Charles attends garden party with Queen Camilla

King Charles attended this afternoon's Sovereign's Garden Party at the Palace of Holyrood in Edinburgh with Queen Camilla. Attending the party, the King took the time to speak to guests including Victoria Webber who is one of the first female High Constables.

King Charles next to Queen Camilla

King Charles attended the Sovereign's Garden Party with Queen Camilla (Image: PA)

King Charles greeting guests at the garden party

King Charles took time to speak to guests at this year's garden party (Image: PA)

King Charles greeting visitors during garden party

King Charles has been pictured greeting guests at the Sovereign's Garden Party at Holyrood House. The monarch, on his third outfit change of the day, is spending some of this week in Scotland. Earlier today, his visit to Edinburgh marked the start of Royal Week.

King Charles greeting a guest at Holyrood

King Charles has been greeting guests at Holyrood (Image: PA)

King's third outfit change of the day

The King looks dapper in a morning suit as he popped his third outfit on today.

He started the day in his trusty navy suit, before changing into military uniform to host an investiture ceremony.

King Charles looks dapper at the Garden Party

King Charles looks dapper at the Garden Party (Image: PA)

Garden Party underway at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

The King and Queen are set to be joined by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to host guests at a Garden Party at The Palace of Holyroodhouse.

King Charles

Garden Party underway at the Palace of Holyroodhouse (Image: PA)

King Charles

Holyrood Week started today in Edinburgh (Image: PA)

The Royal Family mark the visit to Edinburgh on social media

The Royal Family has issued a social media post, marking the visit to Edinburgh on July 2 by King Charles and Queen Camilla.The post on the official X account, reads: "Today, at the traditional Ceremony of the Keys, The King was welcomed into the city of Edinburgh, 'your ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland' by the Lord Provost, who offers him the keys of the city."

In Pictures: Queen Camilla highlights importance of literacy

Even as Duchess of Cornwall, Her Majesty became Patron of several organisations which promote and support literacy including the National Literacy Trust, First Story, Coram Beanstalk and Booktrust.Today, Camilla celebrates those who have a strong interest in highlighting the importance of literacy in Edinburgh, the UK and internationally.

Queen Camilla

Queen Camilla greets guests to celebrate literacy (Image: Getty)

Queen Camilla hosts a celebration to promote Scottish Literacy

Her Majesty, meanwhile, is hosting a celebration for those to work to promote Scottish Literacy.

Queen Camilla has a strong interest in highlighting literacy importance in the UK and internationally.

At the Palace of Holyroodhouse, she is meeting authors and representatives from Edinburgh International Book Festival, and the Scottish Book Trust.

Footage shows Camilla chatting to author Sir Ian Rankin...

King holds an Investiture at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

Recipients of Investitures include bestselling author Sir Alexander McCall Smith, creator of The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series and the 44 Scotland Street novels, who receives a knighthood for services to literature, academia and charity.

King Charles

Professor Sir Alexander McCall Smith with King Charles (Image: PA)

In Pictures: King Charles marks the start of his visit in Edinburgh

Royal Week has started with tradition and splendour, and the King is spending time engaging with the public after completing the Ceremony of the Keys.

Royal Week, also known as Holyrood Week, has deep roots dating back to the 19th century when Queen Victoria established the tradition of spending time in Scotland.

King Charles's arrival was marked by a formal procession, with a guard of honour composed of Scottish regiments, accompanied by a military band.

The Ceremony of the Keys is a public event, allowing residents and visitors to witness this historic ritual.

Soldiers of the Royal Regiment of Scotland

Soldiers of the Royal Regiment of Scotland (Image: Getty)

King Charles

Charles speaks with members of the public (Image: PA)

King Charles inspects bandsmen

During an inspection, King Charles is saluted by a member of the Pipes and Drums 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland.

King Charles

Charles saluted by a member of the Pipes and Drums 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland (Image: Getty)

King Charles

King Charles wears a blue suit and a blue tie with the Scottish flag (Image: Getty)

King Charles receives the keys to the City of Edinburgh

King Charles has officially received the keys to the city of Edinburgh from Lord Provost Councillor Robert Aldridge who welcomes His Majesty formally and pledges the city's loyalty.

The great key of the city is placed on red velvet cushion for the King.

The Ceremony of the Keys is being held on the forecourt of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

King Charles

King Charles arrives in Edinburgh (Image: PA)

King Charles

King Charles is being presented with the key to the city (Image: PA)

King Charles has arrived at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

The reigning Monarch has arrived at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh!

Soldiers of the Royal Regiment of Scotland prepare for King's arrival

Soldiers of the Royal Regiment of Scotland prepare for the King's arrival, ahead of the Ceremony of the Keys on the forecourt of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Soldiers of the Royal Regiment of Scotland

Soldiers prepare for King's arrival (Image: Getty)

Soldiers of the Royal Regiment of Scotland

Soldiers prepare for King's arrival (Image: PA)

The Guard of Honour is forming ahead of the King's arrival

The Guard of Honour will be provided by Balaklava Company, 5 Scots.

Music will be provided by The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and Pipes and Drums of 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Also on Parade will be the Palace Guard found by Balaklava Company, 5 SCOTS, The King’s Bodyguard Scotland (Royal Company of Archers) and the High Constables of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Royal Week is 'slightly scaled back this year'

Royal Week is "slightly scaled back this year" because of the General Election, states the Daily Express Royal Editor, Emily Ferguson - but there's still a "number of events including a Garden Party".

What is the Ceremony of the Keys?

The Ceremony of the Keys will take place in the Gardens of The Palace of Holyroodhouse.

His Majesty will meet Service Chiefs before receiving a Royal Salute and inspecting the Balaklava Company, 5 SCOTS Guard of Honour.

The Lord Provost will then present the Keys to the City of Edinburgh to His Majesty who will return them for safekeeping.

It involves the monarch being giventhe keys of the city and welcomed to 'your ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland'.The monarch will be offered the keys, and tradition dictates that the King then returns them, entrusting their safekeeping to Edinburgh’s elected officials.

What is happening today?

On July 2, King Charles and Queen Camilla will arrive in Edinburgh and participate in the following:

- The traditional Ceremony of the Keys which is held in the Gardens of The Palace of Holyroodhouse (marking the start of Holyrood Week)

- The King will hold an Investiture - the event recognises Scottish residents who have made a significant contribution to society

- Queen Camilla will host a reception to celebrate those who work to promote Scottish literacy

-Their Majesties will be joined by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to host a Garden Party

The Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace of Holyroodhouse (Image: Getty)

What is Holyrood Week?

Every year, the reigning Monarch spends a week visiting Scotland and hosting gatherings at the Palace of Holyrood to celebrate Scottish culture, achievements and people who have contributed greatly to their community.

Known in Scotland as 'Royal Week', the visit normally takes place from the end of June to the beginning of July. This year, the King and Queen will arrive in Scotland today (June 2) and stay until June 5.

The week always begins on the forecourt of Holyrood Palace with an unusual ceremony called Ceremony of the Keys -where the King is officially welcomed into the city of Edinburgh.

Events will include an Investiture, a Garden Party, promoting Scottish literacy and a huge celebration for the 900th anniversary of the city of Edinburgh.

The Palace Of Holyrood House In Edinburgh

The Palace Of Holyrood House In Edinburgh (Image: Getty)

Welcome to the Holyrood Week live blog

Good morning. The King and Queen will shortly be welcomed to Scotland to mark the beginning of Holyrood Week, also known as 'Royal Week', in Scotland. For the latest news, updates and pictures, follow this live blog.

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