Service of Thanksgiving for Charles III and Queen Camilla at St Giles'

King Charles and Queen Camilla smiling at each other
King Charles and Queen Camilla will attend a Service of Thanksgiving at St Giles' in July.

Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be presented with the Honours of Scotland during a National Service of Thanksgiving at St Giles' Cathedral on Wednesday 5 July. In 1953 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attended a similar event at St Giles' during her first visit to Scotland following her coronation.

The event follows the King's coronation which was held on May 6 in Westminster Abbey in London and will feature centuries old aspects of Scottish royal tradition.

Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay will also attend.

Before the service, the Honours of Scotland will be escorted from Edinburgh Castle to the cathedral by a People's Procession from participants from across the country representing different aspects of Scottish life. This will be accompanied by The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Shetland pony mascot Corporal Cruachan IV and supported by cadet musicians from the Combined Cadet Force Pipes and Drums, 51 Brigade Cadet Military Band.

The Royal Procession with leave from the Palace of Holyroodhouse and finish at St Giles', with the public able to watch both processions from the Royal Mile.

The Stone of Destiny will form part the Service of Thanksgiving and there will also be a flypast by the Red Arrows afterwards.

There will be contributions from Church of Scotland ministers including the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, the minister of St Giles', Rev Calum MacLeod, and the Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland, Very Rev Prof David Fergusson.

St Giles' Cathedral exterior
King Charles will be presented with the Honours of Scotland at St Giles'.

There will also be representatives from other faiths and different Christian denominations.

First Minister Humza Yousaf said:

"Scotland will welcome the new King and Queen in July with a series of events to mark the Coronation. A People's Procession, a Royal Procession, a National Service of Thanksgiving and a Gun Salute will take place in Edinburgh.

"Representatives from many different communities and organisations in Scotland will take part in these historic events.

"People who wish to mark this historic occasion can get involved by watching broadcast coverage or viewing events in person. We will issue more information confirming how members of the public can access events in the coming weeks."

The Honours of Scotland, which are normally on display in the Crown Room at Edinburgh Castle, are the oldest crown jewels in Britain. Objects include a crown made of Scottish gold, first worn in its current form by King James V after a much older crown was remodelled by a goldsmith, John Mosman, in 1540.

Highlighting the Crown's close connection with the Church of Scotland, the Moderator presented the King with a Bible during the Coronation service at Westminster Abbey. This presentation has been part of every Coronation service since 1689.

Next year St Giles' will celebrate the 900th anniversary since it was founded in 1124, probably by David I.

Our prayers will be with the King and Queen

Very Rev Prof David Fergusson Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland
Very Rev Prof David Fergusson, Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland, will take part in the Service of Thanksgiving.

Very Rev Prof David Fergusson, Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland, said:

"I am delighted that Their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla will be attending the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Giles' where they will be presented with the Honours of Scotland. For many centuries, these regalia have been used at ceremonial occasions in Scotland.

"The King's deep love of Scotland is well documented, and a National Service of Thanksgiving is a welcome opportunity for people to gather together in a moment of celebration.

"Following her coronation in 1953, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth also took part in a National Service of Thanksgiving at St Giles'.

"Our prayers will be with The King and Queen on their visit to Edinburgh."

Prayer from the Service of Thanksgiving on 24 June 1953 for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth

O Lord Jesus Christ,
who from everlasting dost rule over all earthly governors; we beseech thee to strengthen our gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth, to the duties of the high estate to which thou hast called her.
Exalt her that she may hold the sceptre of salvation; enrich her with such gifts of mercy as shall bring her holiness; and grant unto her by thine inspiration even so to rule her people with meekness and humility, as thou didst cause Solomon to obtain a Kingdom of peace.
May she be ever subject to thee in fear, and fight for thee in quietness; may she be protected by thy shield, and remain ever victorious without warfare.
And grant thou that the nations may keep faith with her, and that her counsellors in all her dominion may have peace and love charity.
Establish her government in strength and righteousness; and in thy mercy bestow upon her a kingdom without end, that she may rejoice to glorify thee, who livest and reignest with the Eternal Father, together with the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

(Based on a prayer traditionally attributed to St Columba)