Since the passing of her husband Prince Philip, the Queen has been keen for the royal show to carry on. This week marks a major step in that direction, with the Monarch’s trip to Edinburgh on Monday for the start of Holyrood Week.
The Queen returned to the Scottish city for one of her favorite events of the year, also known as Royal Week, in which she spends a week in residence at Holyroodhouse. Last year Royal Week was canceled due to the pandemic, but this week the monarch returned in the company of Prince William, who is known as the Earl of Strathearn in Scotland.
The Queen attended the traditional Ceremony of the Keys, where the Lord Provost of Edinburgh presents Her Majesty with the keys to the city which are presented by the City Chamberlain on a cushion of red velvet.
Afterwards the Queen and William met local volunteers who have provided support to the community during the pandemic before paying a visit to a drinks production plant. The Duke seemed delighted to be by his grandmother’s side for the visit to the AG Barr’s factory in Cumbernauld, and gamely took a sip of Irn Bru, one of the country’s most popular beverages which William said he often drank while training with the Armed Forces and said was “delicious.”
Since observing the official period of mourning following the death of Prince Philip, the Queen has been keen to get back to official engagements in person as lockdown restrictions in Britain ease. “You will be seeing quite a bit more of the Queen over the coming weeks,” a source close to Her Majesty told Vanity Fair earlier this month.
While she will not be able to host her annual garden party at Holyroodhouse, her official Scottish residence, courtiers have lined up a busy week of events across the country to celebrate Scottish culture, achievement and communities.
While the Duke of Cambridge is with his grandmother today, Princess Anne will join her mother on Wednesday and Thursday to support her as she travels around the country. According to the Palace, “The Queen …will be undertaking a range of engagements celebrating community, innovation and history. The Queen will visit businesses, charities and cultural institutions that highlight the pioneering work taking place to further community engagement, education, technology and efforts to combat climate change.”
During previous Royal Weeks, The Queen has visited Gorgie City Farm in Edinburgh, the Technology and Innovation Centre at The University of Strathclyde, and the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow
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