‘Not my King’: Protesters mark King Charles’ ceremony in Scotland

The point of interest of the occasion is a service of thanksgiving at St Giles’ Cathedral, the place Charles was introduced with the Scottish Honours — the crown, sceptre and sword of state. The Stone of Destiny, an vital image of Scottish id, was even be moved to the cathedral for the festivities.

The presence of those icons of Scotland’s nationhood is a mark of respect for a rustic that’s fiercely pleased with its historical past and the place the will of some for independence has by no means died, regardless that it has been sure to England and the United Kingdom since 1707.

Scotland’s nationwide authorities is led by the Scottish National Party, which is asking for a second independence referendum.

“It’s not a coronation,” said George Gross, an expert in coronations at King’s College London.

”But it’s very symbolic in that Scotland has its own identity.”

Wednesday’s events in Edinburgh were a continuation of Charles’ effort to cement ties with the people of the four nations that make up the United Kingdom as he tries to show that the 1000-year-old monarchy remains relevant in modern Britain.

Just as May’s coronation ceremony gave nods to the multicultural nature of Britain today, Wednesday’s church service will include a psalm sung in Gaelic.

Charles was also presented with a new sword made by Scottish artisans and named after Elizabeth. The sword will be used in place of the current sword of state, which was made in 1507 and is too fragile for use in the ceremony.

But some Scots weren’t celebrating as people throughout the UK face a cost-of-living crisis fuelled by high food and energy costs.

“The overwhelming majority of Scotland did not care to have a good time the coronation in May, with assist for the monarchy at an all-time low in Scotland,” the group said in a statement.

“Charles’ perpetual must have a good time his reign, with all of the pomp and pageantry it requires, is a spit within the face to the folks scuffling with the price of dwelling.”

The began in the early afternoon with a People’s Procession that will travel down the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle to St Giles’ Cathedral.

The procession included more than 100 people representing charities and public service groups such the Scottish Ambulance Service, the Royal Scottish Highland Games Association and the Girls’ Brigade.

Shouts of “Not my King” could be heard from nearby protesters.

The Scottish Honours followed behind escorted by police and military units.

Soon after, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiments and a collection of military bands set off from the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the king’s official residence in Edinburgh. Charles and Camilla then left the palace.

The one-hour service of thanksgiving was followed by a 21-gun salute and the Red Arrows flyover.

The festivities offered an opportunity for royal fans to celebrate Charles’ coronation while also paying homage to Scotland’s unique history.

Historically an independent country, Scotland was first linked to England in 1603 after the death of Queen Elizabeth I. Because the queen had no children, the crown passed to her cousin James VI who was already king of Scotland, uniting the two countries under a shared sovereign.

But Scotland remained independent until 1707 when lawmakers in both countries approved the Act of Union, which created the United Kingdom.

The public festivities were personally moving for Charles, who stood on roughly the same spot where he stood vigil last year, watching over his mother’s coffin with the crown of Scotland resting on its lid.

“I feel it will be extraordinary if that did not have an effect on him or on any human being,” said Gross, a visiting research fellow in theology at King’s College London.

“It’s essential in bringing the union collectively, simply as after his mom died, after the late queen died, he did varied providers across the Union, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, so on. So he can be doing the identical right here. This is bringing issues collectively.”