Crowds are excitedly gathering in the heart of Edinburgh as they prepare to catch a glimpse of King Charles III during his Scottish Coronation.
Basking in blazing sunshine, hundreds of people have already begun lining the iconic Royal Mile ahead of a special ceremony this afternoon.
Many are waving the Union Jack and Scotland flags while more prepared spectators sit in camping chairs as they eagerly await the day’s events.
Anti-monarchy protestors are out in force with a large gathering outside the High Court - just a stone's throw away from St Giles’ Cathedral where the National Service of Thanksgiving will take place this afternoon.
Activists from the pressure group Republic have already begun chanting “Not our King” and as they stand behind a line of security, police officers and barriers.
Counter protestors have now positioned themselves alongside them, issuing their own chants of “Charles King of Scots” and “God Save the King”.
A People’s Procession of around 100 people representing different aspects of Scottish life has begun from esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.
The castle’s governor, Major General Alastair Bruce, watched the 100-strong group set off, led by Corporal Cruachan IV, the Shetland pony regimental mascot of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, joined by four mounted elements of the Scots Dragoon Guards, the Pipes & Drums of Robert Gordon’s Combined Cadet Force and the 51 Brigade Cadet Military Band.
Chosen to reflect all walks of life in Scotland, among those represented were NHS Scotland, celebrating its 75th anniversary, the Robert Burns World Federation, College of Master Kilt Tailors, the Scottish Parliament, the Prince’s Trust, Glasgow Life – museums and the Trades Houses of Scotland, from coopers to goldsmiths.
The procession is making its way to St Giles’ Cathedral to attend a service of thanksgiving and dedication for the King and Queen.
The Honours of Scotland - the oldest Crown jewels in the UK - will then be brought down the Royal Mile in a vehicle alongside a military and police escort.
The King, who will be joined by Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate, will then travel from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to the cathedral.
The Stone of Destiny will be in St Giles’ Cathedral for the service.
The celebrations will finish up later in the afternoon with a 21 gun salute from Edinburgh Castle followed by the magnificent RAF Red Arrows performing a flypast finale down the Royal Mile.
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