For her second engagement in Scotland this week, Queen Elizabeth II attended a military parade held outside her Edinburgh residence, the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Today, an armed forces act of loyalty parade at the garden of Holyroodhouse paid tribute to the monarch, 96, who is head of the armed forces in Scotland. They also celebrated her Platinum Jubilee following the four-day celebration in London.
During the ceremony, Major General Alastair Bruce of Crionaich, governor of Edinburgh Castle, presented the palace key to the queen. Next to them stood three cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
"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 major general said, as is tradition.
Queen Elizabeth 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."
The monarch seemed in good spirits as she participated in the ceremony and waved and smiled at the crowd. She wore a monochrome lavender—or Scottish heather—outfit consisting of a wool coat dress with dark purple buttons and a matching hat made by her longtime dresser, Angela Kelly. She also honored Scotland by wearing a dazzling brooch in the shape of the country's national flower, the thistle. The piece was silver and featured a purple amethyst atop the thistle.
She wore black low heels, ivory gloves, her classic pearl necklace and earrings, and golden glasses, and carried a black purse. She walked with her cane amid her ongoing mobility issues.
The queen arrived in Scotland Sunday, via Royal Train, and attended the Ceremony of the Keys yesterday, where she was handed the keys of the city of Edinburgh and welcomed into Scotland. She was joined by son Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
Other royals are expected to meet her for engagements in Scotland in the coming days.
Rosa Sanchez is the senior news editor at Harper's Bazaar, working on news as it relates to entertainment, fashion, and culture. Previously, she was a news editor at ABC News and, prior to that, a managing editor of celebrity news at American Media. She has also written features for Rolling Stone, Teen Vogue, Forbes, and The Hollywood Reporter, among other outlets.
