Scots and tourists alike have turned out in droves in Edinburgh to see King Charles III crowned. The capital was caked in a fog that refused to ease on Saturday morning.
But the lack of sunshine couldn’t dampen the spirits of those that turned out to see the new King anointed. The Ross Bandstand - capacity 2500 - didn’t officially open until 10am, but local revellers and those from further afield began flooding in at around 9.15 as the big screen was powered up.
By 10am, most of the 256 folding chairs assembled for the ceremony had been filled, while the stone benches climbing up towards Princes Street were filled with a healthy variety of the devout and the curious alike. Among those sitting were visitors, families and friends, travelling from far afield and down the road.
First to arrive was American Stephanie Kelley, from Lima, Ohio, who extended her stay in Scotland for an extra day to watch Charles be crowned. A year ago, she was in London for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, and wanted to get a Scottish perspective on her son’s ascension to the throne.
Ms Kelley, 61, said: “I got my flight moved back for this. My fascination with the royals is that it’s a luxury for me - I don’t have to worry about him being my king.
“I’m a bit of a history buff and a Princess Diana fan, I read a lot of stories and biographies. And I wanted to get a feel of Scotland’s mood of the coronation - I know it’s a little less enthusiastic about it.
“Things do feel a little muted here but it’s a momentous event from a historical perspective. I’ve never seen a coronation and the chances are, if Charles lived as long as his parents, I might never see William coronated. If I was in the US I would be up at 4am watching it. It's a period of significant historical change."
Ed Barker and his family, from Musselburgh, turned out to welcome in the new 'boss' of the armed forces. Army veteran Ed, 37, his wife Ashley, 33 and kids Jamie, four, and Hector, nine months, came armed with camping chairs, umbrellas and heaps of snacks.
Mr Barker said: "The monarchy is important to me personally because I swore an oath of allegiance [in the armed forces] not just to Queen Elizabeth II but to her heirs and successors. It's good to have a head of state that is apolitical because politics is so divisive, particularly at the moment.
"It gives me a sense of comfort and continuity; the Queen has been such a central part of our history. We came to Edinburgh for the funeral and walked past her coffin at St Giles so this feels like the turning of a page.
"It will be a different monarchy because he has had such a long time to think about it and he has already said he's going to try to make it more inclusive. But I hope that is done with a bit of respect for tradition."
Ashley added: "I feel very British and the royal family to me means tradition and continuity, and history. I feel very positive about the coronation, it's a celebration really.
"Scotland has always had strong links with the Royal Family, with Balmoral and the fact Charles was educated here. I don't know if it is politics that has created a divide but I hope it can be repaired, maybe if Charles spends more time in Scotland."
Pals Eva Waife, 21, from France and Lucy Allison, 22, from Blackpool, are not fans of the royals - but say they understand the historical significance of what's happening today. For Eva, the pomp and ceremony is interesting - given that her home nation has been a republic for over 200 years.
Eva said: "It's interesting because this is so different from what we have in France. I think it's very interesting - very traditional - and since I was in the UK for a historical event I thought, 'why not see it?'"
Lucy added: "It is a historic thing to watch. We would be watching at home if we weren't here."
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