Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamare heading to Scotland next month for Edinburgh’s celebration ofKing CharlesandQueen Camilla’s coronation.
TheScottish government announcedFriday that their nation will mark the coronation on July 5 during Royal Week in Edinburgh.
“The King will be presented with the Honours of Scotland at a National Service of Thanksgiving at St. Giles’ Cathedral following processions on the Royal Mile,” the statement said. TheHonours of Scotland, informally known as the Scottish Crown Jewels, include the Crown of Scotland, the Sceptre and the Sword of State.
Scotland’s government added that “Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay will also attend events.” Prince William and Princess Kate are known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay while in Scotland, titles inherited from King Charles and Queen Camilla after Queen Elizabeth’s death in September. The royal couple also holds the Scottish titles of Earl and Countess of Strathearn, which they were given on their wedding day — however, they now use their higher-ranking Duke and Duchess of Rothesay titles.
Kate Middleton, Prince William, Queen Camilla and King Charles.Karwai Tang/WireImage
The Royal Procession will travel from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St. Giles’ Cathedral, and members of the public can view the procession along the Royal Mile.
Although King Charles, 74, and Queen Camilla, 75, were officially crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 6, the service in Edinburgh will be like a second coronation marking the new monarch’s reign in Scotland.
King Charles and Queen Camilla.Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
The Scottish government announced that theStone of Scone(pronounced “skoon”) — also known as the Stone of Destiny — would be present at the Edinburgh ceremony. The 300-lbs. sandstone slab — which fits into the base of the Coronation Chair — holds special historical significance to both England and Scotland but has a history of controversy.
The Stone of Scone.Wayne Hutchinson/Farm Images/Universal Images Group/Getty
In 1950, a group of Scottish students broke into Westminster Abbey and stole the stone. They brought the relic back to Scotland, where it was briefly on display at Arbroath Abbey. British police ultimately returned the stone to England. The group was charged, but not prosecuted, with criminal activity.
In July 1996, around 700 years after the stone was originally stolen, Prime MinisterJohn Majorannounced that it would finally be returned to Scotland. On Nov. 15, 1996, the stone was officially handed over at the border.
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While the stone is now housed in the Crown Room at Edinburgh Castle, itreturned to Westminster Abbeyfor King Charles' crowning ceremony.
source: people.com
