The Royal Military Edinburgh Tattoo had two royal guests on Wednesday evening, as Prince Charles and Prince William attended the event together.
The Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge attended a special preview of the Edinburgh Tattoo at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on Wednesday (Clarence House)
The Duke of Rothesay and Earl of Strathearn, as the father and son are addressed in Scotland, began their joint engagement at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish royal residence, to watch a special highland dancing performance.
The father and son were treated to a preview of the Tattoo at the official Scottish royal residence, the Palace of Holyroodhouse Clarence House)
At the end of August each year, The Queen and Prince Philip head to the Braemar Gathering – Her Majesty’s local highland games as she holidays at Balmoral. Members of the Royal Family often join the Monarch for the occasion, including The Prince of Wales, who is a big fan of the event.
The duo were seen at the 68th season of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo for a display of music, dance, and military entertainment, which plays for three weeks each August. It is a large event, attracting crowds from across the globe, as well as a global TV audience of more than 100 million.
PRINCE CHARLES, WILLIAM AND KATE MARK PASSCHENDAELE IN BELGIUM
Princess Anne watched a rehearsal of the show last week, before her brother, The Earl of Wessex, and Prince Albert of Monaco attended the opening night; The Princess Royal is patron of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with its 2017 theme, a ‘Splash of Tartan’, featuring dancing, music and military display at Edinburgh Castle> (Ministry of Defence)
In recognition of this being the Year of the Royal Navy, and Scotland’s unique role in building UK warships, the finale will see the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle transformed into an aircraft carrier flight deck, featuring a Lynx Mk III maritime aircraft, and a CGI projection onto the Castle walls of an aircraft taking off from the deck. The audience walk under a life-sized model of the new F-35B fighter as they arrive.
The Prince of Wales was the guest of honour, wearing his naval uniform as Admiral of the Fleet, while Prince William was in black tie. They had a dram of whisky from special silver cups to official open the night’s events.
Prince Charles and Prince William drink a dram at the Edinburgh Tattoo (Ministry of Defence)
His royal standard, as Duke of Rothesay and Lord of the Isles, also flew over Edinburgh Castle for the evening.
The theme, a ‘Splash of Tartan’ this year was represented by 1,200 artists performing to a live audience of 220,000. Performers from 48 countries have taken part in the extravaganza with this year’s top international acts including the United States Naval Forces Europe Band and the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force Central Band.
Standard of the Duke of Rothesay and Lord of the Isles for Scotland flying in a light breeze @edinburghcastle pic.twitter.com/VVSwsZ1cJM
— David Allfrey (@thetoptattoo) August 16, 2017
The tattoo helps showcase the Armed Forces and has raised over £10 million through its Charitable Trust since 1950, also contributing £77m a year to the Scottish economy.
Charles and William later spoke with performers at a reception in the castle, following the show.
We were delighted to host Their Royal Highnesses The Duke of Rothesay and The Duke of Cambridge at last night’s #SplashofTartan #EdinTattoo pic.twitter.com/KpSnT6GT5Z
— Edinburgh Tattoo (@EdinburghTattoo) August 17, 2017
1 comment
What odd people.. The Charles person went from being an ugly young man to a farty old dud. What makes these people special, other than “heritage”.? What odd people they are, indeed.