King Charles talks to crew members on the Royal Yacht Britannia.Photo:Andrew Milligan - Pool/Getty
Andrew Milligan - Pool/Getty
King Charlesis back on board theRoyal Yacht Britanniabefore hiscoronation celebrationin Scotland.
On Monday, the King stepped out in Edinburgh for the firstRoyal Weekof his reign. King Charles, 74, is continuingQueen Elizabeth’s tradition of spending a special summer week in Scotland and made a meaningful visit to the royal yacht on his first day there.
The Royal Yacht Brittania, otherwise known as Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia, was launched in April 1953, one month before Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. The 412-foot vessel was known as the royal family’s “floating residence” during its 44 years of service and sailed over 1 million nautical miles on 968 state visits as they entertained world leaders like Ronald Reagan, Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Ronald Reagan and Rajiv Gandhi. Several royal couples also honeymooned on the ship, including Charles andPrincess Dianain 1981, and they later used it for official trips withPrince WilliamandPrince Harry.
Princess Diana, Prince Harry, Prince Charles and Prince William leave Italy on the Royal Yacht Brittania in 1985.Diana Archive/Getty
Diana Archive/Getty
King Charles on the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh.Andrew Milligan - Pool/Getty
King Charles leave the Royal Yacht Britannia.Andrew Milligan - Pool/Getty
Earlier on Monday, King Charles kicked off Royal Week with a visit to Kinneil House in Bo’ness, where he met representatives from organizations including The Prince’s Trust and planted a tree to mark the 100th anniversary of the estate becoming a public park.
He then moved to the Palace of the Holyroodhouse, the British sovereign’s official royal residence in Scotland, for the traditional Ceremony of the Keys.
According toThe Scotsman, the annual ceremony marks the start of the monarch’s stay in Scotland. The sovereign is handed the keys of the city of Edinburgh and welcomed to “your ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland,” and then returns them to local elected officials for safekeeping.
Though the first Royal Week of Charles’ reign is only beginning, Monday’s Ceremony of the Keys was not the first of his royal reign.
The King participated in the ritual in September 2022 following the death of Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral Castle on Sept. 8. King Charles,Queen CamillaandPrincess Annewere coincidentally in Scotland at the time, and the Queen’s two eldest childrenarrived at her sidebefore she died.
Earlier, Charles was formally welcomed to the city and Holyroodhouse at the official ceremony of the keys.
King Charles at the Ceremony of the Keys.Peter Byrne/WPA Pool/Getty
Peter Byrne/WPA Pool/Getty
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Royal Week in Edinburgh will continue on Tuesday when King Charles, Queen Camilla and Princess Anne host a garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
King Charles in Edinburgh.Chris Jackson/Getty
Chris Jackson/Getty
Then on Wednesday, the King will be presented with the Honours of Scotland at a National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication at St. Giles’ Cathedral celebrating his coronation. Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate Middleton will also be in attendance at the ceremony, which will feature a Royal Procession and a flypast.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will also carry out engagements in Scotland on Thursday.
source: people.com
