The Armed Forces in Scotland took part in a rare Act of Loyalty for HM The Queen at Holyrood Palace to mark her Platinum Jubilee.
Reminiscent of the Act of Loyalty arranged in 1822 for the visit to Scotland by King George IV – the first to Scotland by a reigning monarch in almost 200 years – senior officers from the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force paraded in front of Her Majesty (main image) in the gardens of Holyrood Palace on 28 June where the Keys to Edinburgh Castle were presented by the Governor, Major General Alastair Bruce.
He said: “We, the serving members of Your Majesty’s Armed Forces bound by our oath to you, your heirs and successors offer for your gracious acceptance the key to Your Majesty’s Royal Castle of Edinburgh.”
Her Majesty returned the key saying: “I return the key to the safekeeping of My Governor of Edinburgh Castle, in gratitude for the symbolic Act of Loyalty of Our Armed Forces, confident of your faithful allegiance to your oath.”
Supported by The Band of The Royal Marines Scotland and the Pipes and Drums of The Royal Regiment of Scotland the ceremony also included other ranks from the three services as well as Sea, Army and RAF Cadets.
The Senior Officers included Brigadier Andy Muddiman RM for the Royal Navy, Major General Bill Wright CBE for the Army and Air Vice Marshal Ross Paterson CB CBE ADC DL for the Royal Air Force.
The Act of Loyalty dates to 1822 when King George IV visited Scotland and publicly wore Royal Stuart tartan and full highland regalia on the advice of Sir Walter Scott.
The keys to Edinburgh Castle will now be given a new attached token to show that they were presented to The Queen in her Platinum Jubilee year and will be returned to their display within Edinburgh Castle.
