Known as, 'Royal Week,' in Scotland, Holyrood Week is an annual event when the Queen takes up residence in the monarch's official Scottish residence, the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This is not to be confused with Balmoral, the Royal Family's private country estate in Scotland, where they spend their summer holidays. Scotland is very close to the Queen's heart, and she has visited nearly every part of the country. Annual occurrences of Holyrood Week include a garden party, and investiture ceremony. These follow the same patterns as the garden parties and investiture ceremonies held at Buckingham Palace.
Every other year, the Order of the Thistle holds it's parade day. The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle is the greatest order of chivalry in Scotland, and mirrors the Order of the Garter. It is the highest honour in Scotland, recognising 16 Knights and Ladies, and is second only in England to the Order of the Garter. A similar parade to that of Garter Day takes place in Edinburgh, with a service at The Thistle Chapel in St Giles' Cathedral, followed by a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Members of the royal family, including the Duke of Cambridge (known as the Earl of Strathearn in Scotland), Princess Anne, and the Duke of Edinburgh are members of the order, and other knights and ladies are Scots who have paid significant contributions to national life or held public office. The Thistle Service was last held in 2018, so will next be held in 2020. The Queen is Sovereign of the Order, and appointments as a Knight or Lady to the order are her personal gift.
The royals had a busy schedule for Holyrood Week. On 28th June, the Queen visited Greenfaulds High School, where lessons are taught in Gaelic. Her Majesty also attended the Ceremony of the Keys at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The Guard of Honour was F Coy Scots Guards, with Pipes and Drums will be provided by 1st Battalion, Scots Guards and music by the Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland. The Scots Guards is Scotland’s Regiment of Foot Guard. The Scots Guards F regiment have the honour of guarding Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace and other royal residences when it is their turn. The ancient ceremony happens every time the Sovereign visits the city of Edinburgh. During the ceremony, presenting the keys of the City to The Queen, The Lord Provost of Edinburgh says, ‘We, the Lord Provost and the members of the City of Edinburgh District Council, welcome your Majesty to the capital city of your ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland and offer for your gracious acceptance the keys of Your Majesty's good City of Edinburgh.’ The Queen returns the keys with the response, ‘I return these keys, being perfectly convinced that they cannot be placed in better hands than those of the Lord Provost and Councillors of my good City of Edinburgh.’
On 29th June the Queen and Prince Charles, known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland, visited the Scottish parliament to mark it's 20th anniversary. The Queen and Duke of Rothesay entered at the Queensberry House entrance to the Scottish Parliament and were met by the Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, the Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officers before continuing inside to the Garden Lobby. In the lobby, Party and Parliamentary Leaders met with them ahead of the Ceremony in the Debating Chamber. A procession in which the Mace and the Crown of Scotland were carried into the Debating Chamber to a Fanfare by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland took place. The Presiding Officer opened the meeting of Parliament and Her Majesty then responded with an address. After The Queen’s speech, there were speeches by the party leaders. Following the ceremonial proceedings in the Debating Chamber, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness attended a reception in the Main Hall and signed the visitor’s book before departing.
On 30th June, the Queen attended church as she does every Sunday, wherever she is. This is not a public or state duty, it is her personal choice. I am sure that her faith is one of the reasons that the Queen has been so good at her role of monarch, and has remained in her role, steadfast, stable, and with a commitment to her duty. The Queen attended Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh.
On 1st July, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, known as the Earl and Countess of Forfar in Scotland, visited local businesses and organisations in Forfar, and attended a lunch at the Municipal buildings. Afterwards they visited the Strathmore Rugby Club Community Trust, Inchmacoble Park, and the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, at Orchardbank Business Park in Forfar. Other places they visited were Pitstop, a youth cafe, and Forfar Dramatic Society. This was their first visit to Forfar since receiving their new titles of Earl and Countess of Forfar from the Queen. Many of the other royals have scottish titles, and so I think it is fitting that the hard working Earl and Countess also received Scottish titles.
The next day, 2nd July, the Earl and Countess of Forfar visited Glenfiddich Whiskey Distillery, in Dufftown, Banffshire and Step by Step in Morayshire. They then headed back to Banffshire to visit Keith Kilt and Textile Centre. On 3rd July the Queen hosted the annual garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The Princess Royal, Duke of York and Earl of Forfar were present. Tea, cake and sandwiches were served to those who have contributed significantly to Scottish national life, as a way of thanking them. On the same day, Princess Anne opened the new Highland Pony Society Headquarters at Garbh Allt House in Perthshire. A very suitable engagement for the horsey princess! As patron of Save the Children UK, she also visited one of their shops in Edinburgh.
On 4th July Princess Anne attended a reception in her role as Patron of Leuchie Forever Fund, and opened Clayton Lodge in her role as Royal Patron of MND Scotland. That day was very busy for the Earl of Forfar, with a reception at City Chambers for The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, of which Edward is a trustee, running the award scheme on behalf of his father (the founder of the scheme) who retired in September 2017. Also in Edinburgh, as Patron of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, he visited the Murrayfield Ice Rink, and then Panmure House, and finished the day at The Risk Factory in his role of trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Meanwhile, the Queen visited Gorgie City Farm in Edinburgh, a community run initiative.
On 5th July, the Earl of Forfar held a Reception for young people who have achieved the Gold Standard in The Duke of Edinburgh's Award at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. That day also saw Edward attend a lunch at RSM Offices for his involvement in The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
After Holyrood week one royal was still busy carrying out engagements in Scotland. On 8th July Princess Anne as President of the UK Fashion and Textile Association, visited Alex Begg and Company in Ayr. She also, as President of the Royal Yachting Association, attended the World 2019 St Ayles Skiff Championships at Stranraer Water Sports Association Boat House, in Wigtownshire. To end Holyrood week, on 9th July Princess Anne opened Gairloch House Museum. Princess Anne also visited Two Lochs Radio, and opened Inverness High Viewpoint Tower at Inverewe Garden, owned by the National Trust for Scotland. All these took place in Ross and Cromarty.
Personally, I think it is great that Holyrood Week is held. It shows that Scotland is valued by the monarch, and is a chance to use the Palace of Holyroodhouse for its intended purpose. It is interesting I think how all the royals contribute to the week. Tradition is important in that it keeps us grounded, but the royals have a way of making tradition relevant to the modern day. For example, changing garden parties from occasions for debutantes, to a way of thanking those who have contributed to national life and public service. Furthermore, each generation of the royal family plays it's part in keeping these traditions, like Holyrood Week, relevant.
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