The Queen attended an armed forces Act of Loyalty parade in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse while in Scotland on Tuesday.
The event was an opportunity for the armed forces to mark the monarch’s Platinum Jubilee in Scotland, and pay tribute to the Queen’s role as head of the UK armed forces.
A parade and presentation of the key for Edinburgh Castle in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse took place.
All three armed services were represented on parade, with each of the single service senior representatives in Scotland present together with service cadets.
Musical support was provided by the band of the Royal Marines Scotland and the pipes and drums of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
As Her Majesty arrived in the gardens there was a royal salute before the Lord Lyon King of Arms presented three senior representatives from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force in Scotland to the Queen.
Three cadets, also representing each service, paraded the key to Edinburgh Castle across the gardens, which was received by major general Alastair Bruce of Crionaich, Governor of Edinburgh Castle.
The Governor of Edinburgh Castle, assisted by three service cadets, proceeded to the Equerry’s Door.
The Major General addressed the Queen, saying: “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.”
To which she responded: “I return this 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.”
Three cheers for the Queen were then given by members of the armed forces before a pipe tune composed for the Platinum Jubilee called Dieu Ragnari was played as she waved goodbye and returned to the palace.
The act of loyalty and presentation of the key to Edinburgh Castle marked the 200th anniversary of King George IV’s visit to Scotland in 1822.
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