Ceremony of Keys rehearsal drill practice outside the Palace of Holyroodhouse

REHEARSAL OF CEREMONY OF THE KEYS, PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE, 29 JUNE 2026 Members of the Royal Family travelled to Scotland for the annual Royal Week events which ran from Tuesday 30 June to Friday 3 July 2026. The first engagement was the traditional Ceremony of the Keys which took place on 30 June in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, his official residence in Scotland. A rehearsal was held on 9 June. The troops formed up in the Holyrood Park car park and then marched into the Palace grounds. The troops were waering Multi-Terrain Pattern Combat Dress. In the Ceremony the King receives a Royal Salute and inspects the Guard of Honour, provided by Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland. Balaklava Company is an independent company which performs ceremonial duties. Musical accompaniment is provided by the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Pipes and Drums of the 2nd Battalion. The King then takes part in a centuries-old tradition where he receives the keys to the city, marking the start of his stay. The keys, held on a red cushion, are presented by Lord Provost of Edinburgh Robert Aldridge to the King who then returns them for safekeeping for the next year. The Royal Company of Archers, the King's Bodyguard for Scotland, is also present on parade together with the High Constables of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.