Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward join King at garden party but Anne absent after head injury
The King and Queen have been joined by the Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward at a garden party in Scotland
PA
The King and Queen have been joined by the Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward at a garden party in Scotland to celebrate the Scottish capital’s 900th anniversary.
However, Princess Anne was absent due to her head injury after she fell from a horse last month.
The royals arrived in the Scottish capital today to conduct engagements as part of Holyrood Week, which celebrates Scottish culture, achievements, and important individuals who have contributed to the community.
This year, the celebrations have been cut short due to the General Election, and will end on July 3.
The King and Queen have been joined by the Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward at a garden party in Scotland PA
The King changed into his third outfit of the day ahead of the garden party
PA
Amidst a packed itinerary of royal engagements across the coming days, which includes a Ceremony of the Keys and a guard of honour inspection, the royals attended a traditional garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Other events “which may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign” have been postponed during the two-day trip.
The King changed into his third outfit of the day ahead of the garden party, previously donning a navy seat and his military uniform earlier in the day.
He looked dapper in black top hat with a matching tailcoat, paired with a beige double-breasted waistcoat. On his left lapel, there appears to be a thistle.
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The royals arrived in the Scottish capital today to conduct engagements as part of Holyrood Week
PA
The Duke of Edinburgh during the Sovereign's Garden Party
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Camilla stunned in a light blue dress with a matching hat, accessorised with a pair of white gloves.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were also in attendance, with Prince Edward wearing a similar tailcoat with a cream waistcoat and blue tie. Sophie wore a muted blue dress accompanied with a matching hat.
Princess Anne was nowhere to be seen as she recovers from her injuries sustained last month, after she fell from a horse.
She was discharged from Southmead Hospital in Bristol on June 28, after spending five days there following the incident at the Gatcombe Park Estate. Her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, confirmed that Anne is “recovering slowly” following the accident.
The King began his official engagements in Scotland by inspecting a guard of honour in the Palace of Holyroodhouse gardens and then attending the Ceremony of the Keys, where he was presented with the keys to the city.
Sophie wore a muted blue dress accompanied with a matching hat
PA
King Charles III at the garden party
PA
The ceremony saw the monarch being handed the keys of the city and welcomed to the “ancient and hereditary Kingdom of Scotland”.
A Guard of Honour was provided by the Balaklava Company, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
King Charles then presided over the investiture ceremony. Recipients include bestselling author Sir Alexander McCall Smith, who will receive a knighthood for services to literature, academia and charity.
Queen Camilla also held a reception to celebrate those promoting Scottish literacy, before both attended the garden party.
On Wednesday, the King and Queen will be joined by Prince William, whose Scottish title is the Duke of Rothesay.
William will join his father and stepmother at the Thistle Service at St Giles' Cathedral, where Camilla and Prince Edward will be appointed to the Order of the Thistle.
Charles and Camilla will round off the trip by joining a celebration with various performers, guests and organisations at Edinburgh Castle to mark the city's 900th anniversary.
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