King Charles’ visit to Scotland: Timeline of events and road closures

King Charles and Queen Camilla will be arriving in Edinburgh this week for the monarch’s ‘second Coronation’ celebration which will see a series of spectacular events take place in the city to honour the new British sovereign.

The monarch’s visit on Wednesday, July 5 will be the first time he has visited the capital since he was officially crowned in May.

His arrival for the annual Scottish Royal Week will be welcomed with a string of celebrations that will last two and a half hours in the heart of Edinburgh.

The events on the day will begin at around lunchtime and will kickstart with a People’s procession of around 100 people from Edinburgh Castle’s Esplanade to St Giles Cathedral.

The celebrations will finish up later in the afternoon with a 21 gun salute from Edinburgh castle followed by a magnificent RAF flypast finale down the Royal Mile.

Here’s everything you need to know about what will happen on the day including the timeline of the events, road closures and where to watch the celebrations on television.

Timeline of events

13.15: People’s Procession departs Edinburgh Castle Esplanade

13.30: People’s Procession arrives at St Giles’ Cathedral

13.40: The Honours of Scotland leave Edinburgh Castle Esplanade under military escort

13.40: Military pipe and drums bands and the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment move from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to West Parliament Square

13.50: The Honours of Scotland arrive at West Parliament Square by vehicle

14.05: Royal Procession leaves the Palace of Holyroodhouse

14.10: Royal Procession arrives at St Giles’ Cathedral

14.15: National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication begins

15.15: Service ends

15.20: The King and Queen exit St Giles’ to gun salute from the Castle

15.27: Royal party arrive at Palace of Holyroodhouse

15.40: RAF flypast down the Royal Mile

How to watch

The Scottish Coronation celebrations will be broadcast live on BBC1 Scotland from 1:30pm with the National Service of Dedication and Dedication at 14:15 also available to listen to on BBC Radio 3.

For those wanting to watch the People’s Procession take place in person, there will be viewing opportunities along the Royal Mile from the Castle to the Palace of Holyrood house.

According to the Scottish Government website, The People’s Procession will be made up of a wide range of organisations who will be representing aspects of Scottish life including charities and public services.

The Procession will be escorted by The Royal Regiment of Scotland, their Shetland Pony mascot Corporal Cruachan and will be supported by cadet musicians from the Combined Cadet Force Pipes and Drums, 51 Brigade Cadet Military Band.

Why is King Charles coming

Royal week is a tradition that happens each year in Scotland with the British monarch arriving in Edinburgh to spend a week based at the Palace of Holyrood house in the Capital.

Charles’ first visit as King echoes the visit his late mother Queen Elizabeth II made to the city of Edinburgh in June 1953 shortly after she was crowned.

During the hour long National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication at St Giles Cathedral, the King will be presented with the Honours of Scotland which are the oldest crown jewels in Britain along with the Stone of Destiny.

These are made up of the new Elizabeth sword in honour of Her Majesty, the sceptre and the priceless crown of Scotland which have been present at many of the major royal ceremonial events over the past five centuries.

Road closures and public transport warnings

Royal Week is set to be a very busy period for the city with Edinburgh Council warning locals not to drive in the City Centre on Wednesday.

A number of road closures and traffic restrictions will be put in place around the Royal Mile on the day of the event.

These closures will begin from Tuesday July 4 including ones around the Palace of Holyroodhouse – Holyrood Gait, Holyrood Road, Horse Wynd.

On Wednesday a more extensive list of closures will include: Abbeyhill, Calton Road, Canongate, High Street, Jeffrey Street, St Mary’s Street, North Bridge, South Bridge, Cockburn Street, Victoria Street, George IV Bridge, Lawnmarket and Johnston Terrace.

All roads closed for royal events will be reopened by 6pm on July 6 with the exception of areas around the Castle Concerts, as well as St Giles Street and St John Street.

Public transport warnings have also been issued as royal fans and spectators are being advised to leave within plenty of time to make the event on time and check route schedules before leaving.

Further information is available from Traffic Scotland and updates will be posted by Edinburgh Council.

More information on each part of the day can be found here.

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