Summary

  • King Charles has been presented with the Scottish crown jewels - a sword, sceptre and the crown worn by Mary Queen of Scots in 1543

  • Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales were in St Giles' Cathedral for the ceremony - but there was no Prince Harry this time

  • Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf gave a reading, and there was music from violinist Nicola Benedetti

  • The service was followed by a 21-gun salute from Edinburgh castle, and a flypast by the RAF's Red Arrows

  • Thousands lined the Royal Mile in Scotland's capital to watch a procession

  • Anti-monarchists gathered outside the Scottish Parliament, and many others lined the route of the march with signs saying 'Not My King'

  1. Prayer for the Kingpublished at 14:52 British Summer Time 5 July 2023

    A prayer attributed to St Columba is being read for King Charles by the Most Reverend Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

    "Lord Jesus Christ, who from everlasting rules over all earthly governors; we beseech you to strengthen our gracious Sovereign, King Charles, for the duties of the high estate to which you have called him," he reads.

    "Exalt him that he may hold the Sceptre of salvation; enrich him with such gifts of your mercy as shall bring him holiness; and grant to him by your inspiration even so to rule his people in meekness and humility, as you did cause Solomon to obtain a kingdom of peace."

  2. King presented with Crown of Scotlandpublished at 14:49 British Summer Time 5 July 2023

    King Charles receives the Crown of ScotlandImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    King Charles receives the Crown of Scotland

    The King is now being presented with the Crown of Scotland.

    The crown was made for James V of Scotland, who first wore it at the Coronation of Queen Mary of Guise in 1540.

    Annotated image of Crown of ScotlandImage source, HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND/BB
  3. Now the sceptre is presentedpublished at 14:48 British Summer Time 5 July 2023

    Lady Dorrian holds the sceptre
    Image caption,

    The sceptre was presented by Lady Dorrian

    The King is now being presented with the sceptre.

    Mary Queen of Scots was the first to be crowned using the new crown and sceptre together, in 1543.

    The origins of the sceptre are less certain - it may have been a papal gift to James IV.

    Lady Dorrian present the sceptre
  4. Elizabeth Sword presented to Kingpublished at 14:47 British Summer Time 5 July 2023

    Dame Katherine Grainger holds up the Elizabeth sword

    The sword King Charles is being presented with is brand new, and commissioned because the existing 16th Century sword is too fragile to handle.

    Named after his late mother, it is called the Elizabeth sword.

    "By the symbol of this Sword, we pledge our loyalty, entrusting you to defend our laws, and to uphold justice and peace in our land," the King is told.

    He responds: "In receiving this Sword, I so promise by God’s help."

    King Charles receives the Elizabeth sword
  5. As honours offered we 'celebrate peace and unity'published at 14:46 British Summer Time 5 July 2023

    The Very Reverend Professor David Fergusson, Dean of the Chapel Royal and Dean of the Order of the Thistle, says: "The Elizabeth Sword, the Sceptre, and the Crown are Royal symbols.

    "As we offer these to The King, we celebrate the peace and unity of our land and its people, and together we dedicate ourselves anew to serving the common good of our nation."

  6. Honours of Scotland to be presentedpublished at 14:45 British Summer Time 5 July 2023

    We now come to the part of the service where the Honours of Scotland - normally held in Edinburgh Castle - are presented to the King.

    Made of gold, silver and precious gems, they are the oldest crown jewels in Britain and comprise the priceless crown, sceptre and sword of state.

  7. Moderator addresses King and Queenpublished at 14:44 British Summer Time 5 July 2023

    Addressing King Charles and Queen Camilla, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland thanks them for their commitment to the environment.

    "It is our duty to return it still singing and surging and bathing, not baking to a crisp."

    "Your majesties, you have made it part of your mission to speak alongside creation advocating for it. As we present the honours of Scotland to you, we commit ourselves to walking that journey with you.

    "We are are part of something so much bigger, this beautiful sacred creation", the Right Reverend Sally Foster-Fulton says.

  8. Sermon highlights 'Jesus' manifesto'published at 14:37 British Summer Time 5 July 2023

    The Right Reverend Sally Foster-Fulton acknowledges the Beatitudes, which she describes as being like Jesus’ manifesto.

    "Another way to see this today is Jesus setting out his stall, announcing his manifesto... this is what my vision looks like, this is what I will stand for, work for, offer my life for", she continues.

  9. Sermon beginspublished at 14:31 British Summer Time 5 July 2023

    The Right Reverend Sally Foster-Fulton, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, is now beginning the sermon.

    She describes Scotland as "a beautiful tapestry of humanity".

    "What we learn when we listen to one another, listen to understand, not just respond, is extraordinary.

    "We gather to commit to and celebrate the common good of the place and people of Scotland.

    "How depleted life would be without the creative imagination that explodes through our diverse customs, cultures, faiths and beliefs," she says.

  10. Traditional song played by Nicola Benedettipublished at 14:27 British Summer Time 5 July 2023

    Nicola Benedetti
    Image caption,

    Nicola Benedetti plays with the Honours of Scotland Ensemble

    We are now hearing "Soay" from The Lost Songs of St Kilda, performed by Nicola Benedetti & The Honours of Scotland Ensemble.

  11. Beatitudes read in Scotspublished at 14:26 British Summer Time 5 July 2023

    A Gospel reading is now read by a former Edinburgh makar and elder of the Church of England, Christine de Luca, in Scots.

    She is reading the Beatitudes - Matthew 5:1-12- which are the blessings laid out by Jesus during his sermon on the mount.

  12. Psalm sung in Gaelicpublished at 14:23 British Summer Time 5 July 2023

    Joy Dunlop
    Image caption,

    Joy Dunlop sings a Gaelic psalm

    Yousaf's reading is followed by Joy Dunlop, who sings a Gaelic psalm, "And I Shall Dwell in God's House".

    It is the first time Gaelic will be featured as a part of the service, the Scotsman reports.

  13. Scotland's first minister gives first readingpublished at 14:22 British Summer Time 5 July 2023

    Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf
    Image caption,

    Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf is reading from the Old Testament, Psalm 19: 1-6

    Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf is involved in today's ceremony.

    He is reading from the Old Testament, Psalm 19: 1–6.

  14. Guests led in the Lord's Prayerpublished at 14:21 British Summer Time 5 July 2023

    The Very Reverend Professor David Fergusson, Dean of the Chapel Royal and Dean of the Order of the Thistle is now leading the prayers.

    "From the rising of the sun to its setting, the Lord’s name is to be praised," he says.

    "Give us grace, we ask you, always to love one another," he prays, before leading the Lord's Prayer.

  15. St Giles' minister opens the servicepublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 5 July 2023

    Reverend Calum I. MacLeod, the minister of St Giles' Cathedral, is opening today's ceremony.

    He begins by welcoming people to the cathedral and inviting them to join him in worship.

  16. Duke and Duchess of Rothesay arrive in the cathedralpublished at 14:14 British Summer Time 5 July 2023

    We've just seen the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, Prince William and Kate, also arrive and are now in place in the Cathedral.

  17. King Charles III and Camilla have arrivedpublished at 14:13 British Summer Time 5 July 2023

    The King and Queen Camilla arrive at St Giles' Cathedral
    Image caption,

    The King and Queen Camilla arrive at St Giles' Cathedral

    The King and Queen Camilla have arrived at St Giles' Cathedral as the National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication gets under way.

  18. Protesters are gathered outside the High Courtpublished at 14:10 British Summer Time 5 July 2023

    Protesters on The Royal Mile in Edinburgh,Image source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Protesters on The Royal Mile in Edinburgh

    demoImage source, Reuters
  19. Household Cavalry turn towards St Giles' Cathedralpublished at 14:06 British Summer Time 5 July 2023

    household cavalryImage source, PA Media

    Members of the Household Cavalry arrive ahead of the Royal Procession before the National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication for King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

  20. WATCH: The Scottish crown jewels arrive at St Giles' Cathedralpublished at 14:05 British Summer Time 5 July 2023