Royal salute for King as he comes back to capital

THE King looked delighted to be back “home” in Scotland yesterday, grinning broadly at a guard of honour from the Royal Company of Archers as he kicked off events for the annual Holyrood Week in the capital.

- By Rebecca Russell Deputy Political Editor

The monarch was greeted by a Royal Salute in the grounds of the Palace of Holyroodhouse as he took part in the Ceremony of the Keys — a tradition since the reign of Queen Victoria.

But there was a modern twist to proceedings as the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and Pipes and Drums of 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland played I'm Gonna Be (500 miles) by famed duo The Proclaimers and Counting Stars by OneRepublic.

The Lord Provost Robert Aldridge presented the keys to the city of Edinburgh to the King, who then returned them to him for “safe keeping”.