Queen Elizabeth II Made An Unexpected Visit to Scotland for the Ceremony of the Keys

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II made an unexpected visit to Edinburgh, Scotland, on Monday, June 27, 2022, to personally attend a traditional ceremony at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Her visit was only confirmed Monday morning. 

Palace of Holyroodhouse Credit: John Freeman - Royal Collection Trust

She was accompanied by her youngest child, The Earl of Wessex, and his wife, Sophie, The Countess of Wessex. They are known as The Earl and Countess Forfar when in Scotland. 

The Queen, The Earl, and Countess of Wessex
© ITVNewsroyals

Prince Charles and Princess Anne are expected to follow in the coming days to accompany their mother in attending a series of royal events in Scotland.

The Queen, The Earl, and Countess of Wessex
© ITVNewsroyals

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, located at the opposite end of Edinburgh Castle, is the former home of Mary, Queen of Scots.  It is Queen Elizabeth II's official residence in Scotland, while Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire is her private Scottish residence.

The Queen visits Scotland. ©ITVNewsroyals

Queen Elizabeth II traditionally spends one week in residence at Holyroodhouse at the beginning of each summer and carries a range of official engagements and ceremonies. She will then spend her private summer break at Balmoral Castle, her private residence in Scotland near the River Dee.

The monarch beamed with happiness

Normally, The British royals used their Scottish peerage titles when in Scotland. Prince Charles -  Duke of Rothesay, Prince Edward - Earl of Forfar. Prince Andrew - Earl of Inverness, Prince William - Earl of Strathearn, and Prince Harry - Earl of Dumbarton.

The Queen at the Ceremony of the Keys

On Monday, Queen Elizabeth II, 96, looked vibrant and all smiles as she stepped out to the courtyard of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, holding a walking stick, to attend the Ceremony of the Keys. This ceremony signaled the beginning of her week-long stay at Holyroodhouse.

Ceremony of the Keys at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

She was then symbolically offered the keys to the City of Edinburgh by the Lord Provost on the day of her arrival:

"We, the Lord Provost and the members of the City of Edinburgh Council, welcome Your Majesty to the capital city of your Ancient and Hereditary Kingdom of Scotland, and offer for your gracious acceptance the Keys of Your Majesty's good city of Edinburgh".

In keeping with tradition, The Queen then returned the keys to Edinburgh's elected officials for safekeeping, with the statement:

"I return these keys, being perfectly convinced that they cannot be placed in better hands than those of the Lord Provost and Councilors of my good city of Edinburgh".

The Countess of Wessex and The Queen

The Ceremony of the Keys at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on June 27 marked the beginning of the Holyrood Week or Royal Week, where Her Majesty will attend a series of royal events, accompanied by members of the Royal Family.

What The Queen Wore

Her Majesty beamed with happiness during her unexpected visit, wearing a powder blue silk wool coat and a matching powder blue silk dress by Stewart Parvin. 

She accessorized her outfit with a pale blue hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan with a stunning floral details. She also wore the Argyll, Sutherland, and Royal Regiment of Scotland brooches.

The Queen wore symbolic brooches during the ceremony

The Argyll and Sutherland brooch is a regimental insignia for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who are posted as the Guard of Honor for this year's Ceremony of the Keys.

The Queen was appointed by her father, King George VI, as the regiment's Colonel-in-Chief on her 21st birthday in 1947, an honorary position she held until 2006 when it became part of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

No signs of slowing down

Her Majesty shows no sign of slowing down despite her mobility issues. At 96, she still actively performing royal duties, either through virtual conferences or receiving guests at her sitting room in Windsor Castle.

Just a week ago she had two audiences at the castle's Oak Room. Margaret Beazley, Governor of the New South Wales, Australia, and Most Reverend, Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Visiting the Palace of Holyroodhouse

No trip to Edinburgh City, Scotland would be complete without a visit to Holyroodhouse, one of UK's historic royal residences, and home to Scotland's storied royal history. 

The historic Palace of Holyroodhouse

The palace is best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, the last Queen regnant of Scotland. It was in Holyroodhouse that Mary, Queen of Scots married her cousin, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. It was also at her private apartments at Holyroodhouse that she witnessed the brutal killing of her secretary. 

Bedchamber of Mary Queen of Scots. Image Royal Collection Trust

Mary, Queen of Scots was the great-niece of King Henry VIII of England and was executed for High Treason at the order of Henry's daughter, Queen Elizabeth I. 

However, her only child, James VI of Scotland, inherited the English throne as James I when Elizabeth died without children. James I's reign began the personal union of Scotland and England, forming the geographical name of Great Britain.

The palace stands at one end of Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile. At the opposite end, stand a mix of shops, restaurants, and other attractions, such as the historic fortress, the Edinburgh Castle.

It is open to the public throughout the year but closes every Tuesday and Wednesday except for July and August when it is open seven days a week.

For ticket prices, visit The Royal Collection Trust. For operating time and day, check this schedule