The Queen attends the Act of Loyalty Parade during Holyrood Week

After appearing at the Ceremony of the Keys on Tuesday at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, The Queen attended the Act of Loyalty Parade yesterday.

The ceremony took place in the gardens of her Scottish residence to mark the annual visit to Scotland and to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee.

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The 96-year-old Monarch was greeted with the royal salute, after which she met three senior representatives from the armed forces. They were joined by three cadets, representing each service – the army, Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.

The key to the castle was then presented to The Queen by Major General Alastair Bruce of Crionaich, governor of Edinburgh Castle, who was assisted by three service cadets at the palace’s Equerry’s Door.

You might recognise Bruce, as he provides royal commentary for Sky News.

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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.

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.”

The Queen replied: “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.”

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Three cheers for The Queen were then given by members of the armed forces, prior to a pipe tune composed for the Platinum Jubilee called Dieu Ragnari. It was played as she waved goodbye and returned inside the palace.

For today’s event, The Queen was seen using a walking stick after suffering from recent mobility issues, which has forced her to miss a number of engagements, including the State Opening of Parliament and Royal Ascot.

She wore a lilac outfit, with a thistle brooch.

Inside the palace, The Queen presented The Queen’s Medal for Music to John Wallace. The award was for 2021, announced back in November, and Wallace was accompanied by Judith Weir, Master of The Queen’s Music.

The 75-year-old trumpet player is the 17th person to receive the accolade, which is given to ‘an outstanding individual or group of musicians who have had a major influence on the musical life of the nation’.

Weir, who composed a new song for the jubilee sung at the Service of Thanksgiving earlier in the month, is part of the committee who recommends the recipient to the Monarch. She commented: “Following his stellar career as a trumpet player, John Wallace transformed arts education during his stewardship of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. His creativity and energy remain an inspiration and example to everyone in the musical world.”

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Holyrood week 2022 marks the first public appearance of The Queen since her Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations, where she attended a number of events across the four-day period.

Last week, The Queen was photographed twice whilst carrying out engagements, first with the Archbishop of Canterbury and secondly with Australian governor of New South Wales.

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