{"id":233545,"date":"2025-07-03T02:22:27","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T02:22:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/233545\/"},"modified":"2025-07-03T02:22:27","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T02:22:27","slug":"king-and-queen-appear-solemn-as-they-unveil-a-memorial-stone-marking-the-spot-where-queen-elizabeths-coffin-lay-in-edinburghs-st-giles-cathedral","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/233545\/","title":{"rendered":"King and Queen appear solemn as they unveil a memorial stone marking the spot where Queen Elizabeth’s coffin lay in Edinburgh’s St Giles’ Cathedral"},"content":{"rendered":"

King Charles appeared moved as he and Queen Camilla unveiled a memorial stone marking the spot where Queen Elizabeth\u2019s coffin lay in Edinburgh<\/a>\u2019s historic St Giles\u2019 Cathedral on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

The couple attended a short but meaningful service of dedication for the black slate stone, engraved with the Scottish crown and ER cypher together with the date when Her Late Majesty rested on her final journey back down to London<\/a> after dying at Balmoral in 2022.<\/p>\n

Rev Dr Scott Rennie, Minister of St Giles, told them: \u2018We give thanks for our great sovereign who lived a life of deep faith, humble service and unwavering devotion to duty.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘We honour her legacy of constantly in times of change, of grave in moments of challenge and of steadfast commitment to the people she served.<\/p>\n

\u2018As this stone becomes in time a place of memory, let it also be a sign of inspiration, calling all who pass by to live lives of self-giving love, steadfast devotion and commitment to the common good. \u2018<\/p>\n

A service of thanksgiving<\/a> and vigil took place in the cathedral on September 12 and 13 2022.<\/p>\n

The new permanent memorial is located on the floor near the Holy Table where Queen Elizabeth’s coffin lay.<\/p>\n

No other sovereign has had such a Service of Thanksgiving in Scotland, with the breadth of Scottish society in attendance.<\/p>\n

\"King <\/p>\n

King Charles III and Queen Camilla unveil a memorial stone in St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh<\/p>\n

Following the service, a vigil was held and, over the following 23 hours, more than 33,000 people queued to pay their respects.<\/p>\n

The late Queen\u2019s children, including the King, also held their own vigil for their mother.<\/p>\n

While her coffin was present in the cathedral, the Royal Company of Archers, the Sovereign\u2019s Bodyguard in Scotland, mounted guard – and some of the same officers were present today.<\/p>\n

The engraving on the stone was carried out by Roxanne Kindersley from the renowned Cardozo Kindersley Workshop in Cambridge, who also met the King and chatted about some of her other work he had seen, he described it as \u2018brilliant\u2019.<\/p>\n

Rev Dr Scott Rennie, minister of St Giles\u2019, said: \u2018It has been a great honour and privilege to welcome Their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla back to St Giles\u2019 for such a special event as we commemorate the late Queen Elizabeth, who visited the cathedral many times, with the Dedication of the Memorial Stone.<\/p>\n

\u2018It is fitting that St Giles\u2019, which has been at the heart of Scottish civic and religious life for more than 900 years, was able to host the 33,000 people who came to pay their final respects to Queen Elizabeth.<\/p>\n

\u2018St Giles\u2019 was probably founded by David I in around 1124 so there has been a strong royal connection since the beginning.\u2019<\/p>\n

Earlier in the day, King Charles greeted former Prime Minister Gordon Brown during a visit to Kirkcaldy Art Gallery.<\/p>\n

\"King <\/p>\n

King Charles attends a Vigil at St Giles’ Cathedral, in Edinburgh, on September 12, 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022<\/p>\n

\"King <\/p>\n

King Charles and Queen Camilla unveil a memorial stone in St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, where Queen Elizabeth II lay at rest before being carried to London, as part of their trip to Scotland for Holyrood Week<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The memorial stone for Queen Elizabeth II in St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh<\/p>\n

\"King <\/p>\n

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive to unveil a memorial stone in St Giles Cathedral<\/p>\n

His Majesty is carrying out several engagements alongside Queen Camilla, 77, as Royal Week continues in Scotland.<\/p>\n

Charles, dressed in a dapper, brown overcoat, and Camilla started the day in Kirkcaldy, Fife, where they marked the centenary of the town’s war memorial, and unveiled a commemoration cairn.<\/p>\n

Crowds lined the streets to meet the royal couple, and the monarch shared a sweet moment with a toddler waiting to greet him in the rain, gently touching her hand as onlookers snapped pictures.<\/p>\n

Later in the day, the royal father-of-two met Gordon Brown, 74, who served as the leader of the Labour party<\/a> from 2007 to 2010, before joining a community reception to celebrate the work of local charities and community organisations.<\/p>\n

The King traditionally spends a week at the Palace of Holyroodhouse each year, based on what is known as Holyrood Week or Royal Week in Scotland.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Yesterday, Princess Anne joined Charles and Camilla at the Sovereign’s Garden Party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.<\/p>\n

During the event, King Charles gave his backing to his first female Scottish bodyguards.<\/p>\n

The Royal Company of Archers serve as the Sovereign’s ceremonial bodyguard in Scotland and have now, for the first time, accepted women.<\/p>\n

\"King <\/p>\n

King Charles greeted former Prime Minister Gordon Brown\u00a0during a visit to Kirkcaldy Art Gallery in Scotland today<\/p>\n

\"Queen <\/p>\n

Queen Camilla joined Charles to unveil a Commemorative Cairn to mark the centenary of the Kirkcaldy War Memorial<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The monarch warmly greeted a young child who waited in the rain with her mother to meet the royal<\/p>\n

\"Charles <\/p>\n

Charles shared a giggle with a young child during the visit to\u00a0Kirkcaldy, Fife, as part of Holyrood Week<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The rain didn’t deter members of the public from queuing up to catch a glimpse of the royals during their trip<\/p>\n

\"Camilla <\/p>\n

Camilla gladly accepted a bunch of brightly coloured flowers from a young boy waiting in the crowd<\/p>\n

\"Pictured:\u00a0King <\/p>\n

Pictured:\u00a0King Charles and Queen Camilla arriving to unveil a Commemorative Cairn to mark the centenary of the Kirkcaldy War Memorial<\/p>\n

\"Before <\/p>\n

Before greeting the young child, the 76-year-old royal chatted with her mother and shook her hand<\/p>\n

\"Camilla <\/p>\n

Camilla worked her way through the crowds, and received a special gift from one young boy waiting for her<\/p>\n

Charles spoke to Lady Katherine Douglas, 35, one of the first women to sign up, during the garden party.<\/p>\n

Lady Katherine also competed on the women’s eights rowing team at the Tokyo Olympics.<\/p>\n

Her father, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Callander, who served as the Lord-Lieutenant of Midlothian, was on duty in his final year with The Royal Company of Archers.<\/p>\n

Lady Katherine said afterwards: ‘The King asked if I had ever done any archery and I said I had not. He said when he did archery the arrows were still in the shrubbery and I said mine will probably be the same.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘He said it is about time that women are allowed and he was very happy about it. My uncle was in the Archers and this is his last garden party as at 75 they have to retire.’<\/p>\n

Queen Camilla chatted to visitors including Campbell Archibald, 52, of charity DD8 Music in Kirriemuir, in Angus, who was dressed head to toe in tartan twill, and blue shoes.<\/p>\n

She said: ‘Amazing twill. You look very smart. Lovely to meet you. And your shoes.’<\/p>\n

Campaigners from anti-monarchy group Republic unfurled a banner on a hill in Holyrood Park overlooking the garden party which said ‘Not My King’ but was largely illegible to partygoers.<\/p>\n

\"Camilla <\/p>\n

Camilla put on a chic display in a longline blue coat with a brown mac over the top to protect her from the showers<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

A mother held her young daughter out to Queen Camilla, who appeared delighted to greet the child<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The monarch looked dapper in a smart, brown overcoat, grey suit trousers, and a pair brown brogues<\/p>\n

Christie Etukudor, who was accompanied by her husband, Idara, met the Queen as representative of the Rotary Club of Edinburgh.<\/p>\n

She said: ‘We are the second largest in the UK and are 100 years old. The Queen told me that she has agreed to become patron of the Rotary Club.<\/p>\n

‘Our last patron was the Duke of Edinburgh who held the role for 50 years and we haven’t had one since he died, so it’s very exciting. She is very passionate about volunteering so it’s a perfect match.’<\/p>\n

Another wellwisher told the Queen: ‘Welcome to Scotland. We are really pleased to see you. You are a wonderful asset.’<\/p>\n

Earlier that day, the King was greeted with pipes and drums – plus bows and arrows – as he arrived for his traditional official week in Scotland.<\/p>\n

Charles was given a Royal Salute and Guard of Honour as he inspected The Royal Company of Archers, The King’s Bodyguard for Scotland, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, which is his official residence in the capital.<\/p>\n

The ceremony took place on Tuesday morning, shortly after the King and Queen had arrived at the palace in a claret liveried helicopter, one of two new aircrafts acquired by the palace.<\/p>\n

Each year, the monarch traditionally spends a week based at Holyroodhouse, an event known as Holyrood Week or Royal Week in Scotland.<\/p>\n

\"Pictured:\u00a0King <\/p>\n

Pictured:\u00a0King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive to unveil a Commemorative Cairn to mark the centenary of the Kirkcaldy War Memorial<\/p>\n

\"During <\/p>\n

During the visit on Wednesday, Charles laid\u00a0a wreath at Kirkcaldy War Memorial,\u00a0as part of his trip to Scotland for Holyrood Week<\/p>\n

\"Pictured:\u00a0King <\/p>\n

Pictured:\u00a0King Charles observed a minute silence after laying a wreath at Kirkcaldy War Memorial<\/p>\n

\"Camilla <\/p>\n

Camilla completed her ensemble by adding a string of pearls around her neck and matching pearl drop earrings<\/p>\n

Upon his arrival, Charles also took part in the Ceremony of the Keys – an official welcome to the Scottish city.<\/p>\n

The Lord Provost Robert Aldridge presented keys to the city of Edinburgh to the King, who then immediately returned them for ‘safe keeping’.<\/p>\n

The Lord Provost said to the King: ‘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.’<\/p>\n

The King replied: ‘I return these keys, being perfectly convinced that they cannot be placed in better hands than those of the Lord Provost and Councillors of my good City of Edinburgh.’<\/p>\n

Before the ceremony, the palace’s garden was transformed into a parade ground and the King met senior military and uniformed figures.<\/p>\n

He then received a royal salute and inspected a Guard of Honour of soldiers from the Royal Company of Archers, who serve as the King’s ceremonial bodyguard in Scotland – a role first created in 1822 for King George VI.<\/p>\n

Also lined up was the Palace Guard made up of soldiers from Balaklava Company, five Scots, and the High Constables of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.<\/p>\n

Music at the official welcome was provided by The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and Pipes and Drums of 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland.<\/p>\n

\"Charles \"Charles <\/p>\n

Charles appeared in high spirits as he greeted Gordon Brown with a firm handshake in Scotland today<\/p>\n

\"Charles <\/p>\n

Charles greeted the former UK Prime Minister\u00a0during a visit to Kirkcaldy Art Gallery on Wednesday<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The monarch greeted cadets when visiting\u00a0Kirkcaldy to unveil a Commemorative Cairn to mark the centenary of the Kirkcaldy War Memorial<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The father-of-two pinned a pastel pink flower to his monochrome blazer for today’s events in Scotland<\/p>\n

Renditions included, ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)’ by the Scottish duo Proclaimers, and ‘Counting Stars’ by One Republic.<\/p>\n

The King walked past the Guard of Honour, casting his eye over the service personnel and stopping to talk to some of them, and he also chatted to members of the military bands.<\/p>\n

Around 250 people were invited as a thank you for their work in the local community to watch the ceremony in the palace garden on July 1.<\/p>\n

Also in Scotland for Royal Week celebrations is Camilla, who visited Ratho Library on the outskirts of Edinburgh for her first engagement of the day.<\/p>\n

The royal, who is a passionate advocate for literacy and literature, urged people to ‘keep on reading’, as she revealed new research showed that just ten minutes a day can reduce stress levels by 20 per cent.<\/p>\n

Speaking about the research commissioned by her Queen’s Reading Room charity, Camilla said: ‘Neuroscientists have been looking at the power of reading and it’s just been proved that ten minutes a day reduces stress by 20 per cent.<\/p>\n

‘Just ten minutes. So just keep on reading!’<\/p>\n

She was speaking as she visited Ratho Library, which has been recently built as part of a nursery and community hub in partnership with the city’s International Book Festival and Edinburgh City Libraries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"King Charles appeared moved as he and Queen Camilla unveiled a memorial stone marking the spot where Queen…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":233546,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8816],"tags":[748,92,1102,368,4884,518,2607,448,712,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-233545","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-edinburgh","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-dailymail","10":"tag-edinburgh","11":"tag-femail","12":"tag-great-britain","13":"tag-king-charles-iii","14":"tag-queen-camilla","15":"tag-royals","16":"tag-scotland","17":"tag-uk","18":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/233545","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=233545"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/233545\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/233546"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=233545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=233545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=233545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}