80 pupils from Defence’s Queen Victoria School (QVS), along with their Military parents, had an unusual royal interruption to their annual summer break.
They had the honour of joining their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla at a Service at St Giles Cathedral. This is where HM Queen Camilla and His Royal Highness Edward, Duke of Edinburgh were appointed to the Order of the Thistle, Scotland’s highest royal honour. Later in the day, the King and Queen rounded off their visit with a celebration at Edinburgh Castle to mark the city’s 900th anniversary.
Pipers from QVS played as the King and Queen’s car arrived at St Giles Cathedral. Later, QVS Pipers played “King Charles III Welcome to Edinburgh Castle”, a piece specially written for the occasion by their instructor, Pipe Major Iain Lowther, as they escorted the State Bentley over the drawbridge. The Pipers met the King and Queen and the music will be presented to Edinburgh Castle at a later stage.
Two pupils accompanied the Governor of Edinburgh Castle, as part of the ceremonial ‘Key Party’ and all QVS pupils then lined the route as the King and Queen departed Edinburgh Castle.