Just eight months ago the Lord-Lieutenant for Perth and Kinross Stephen Leckie attended Westminster Abbey for the Queen’s funeral in what was one the most sombre days in the nation’s long history.
This weekend, however, the Crieff-based monarchy representative for the region will return to historic royal church for a very different occasion - as a guest for the Coronation of King Charles III.
Chairman and CEO of the Crieff Hydro Family of hotels has met the new King on a number of occasions and is looking forward to witnessing his enthronement in what he views as the beginning of a new era.
“The Queen’s funeral back in September was a solemn event, a sad event and she held that role for a record-breaking time,” he said.
“And then eight months later for the Coronation of the new King and Queen is the end of an era and start of a new one.
“The translation of the view of the monarchy and how they wish it to be seen will change and has already started when you see the guest list.
“It is a shorter guest list and not everyone who was invited to the Queen’s funeral is invited to the Coronation.
“It will also be a shorter Coronation, however that should not take away from the impact of the King being crowned and of the Stone of Destiny and its relevance to our county.
“There has been an immense amount of planning going into it.
“The invitations we received are really very special. They are A4-sized and in card with the most incredible embossing - every singe line and drawing on the invite will mean something to the royal family.”
The gates open at Westminster Abbey at 7.30am on Saturday morning, but Mr Leckie, dressed in his finest attire, will arrive before then to stand in the queue.
“I will be wearing a morning suit with tails and Oxford bold shoes with a black umbrella and I have a Coronation tie with silk.
“It is about looking the part, feeling immensely proud to be there and soaking up the magnitude of this occasion, which will see us on for hopefully decades to come with the King and Queen being crowned.”
In Mr Leckie’s absence the Crieff Hydro Hotel and surrounding areas are promising quite the celebrations themselves.
“There a quite a lot going on with street parties and various events around the county,” he said.
“At Crieff Hydro we have got a full programme of what is happening, such as large screen showings and lunches and I am sorry I can’t attend.
“There are some folk going to the Concert at Windsor and they will have the most amazing time.
“There are events at Balhousie Castle, street parties in Perth, there is a big event on in Comrie, as well as in Forteviot and Stanley.
“It is just great to see so much celebration over the weekend.”
Despite detractors voicing objections over the cost of the Coronation ceremony and the necessity for a Monarchy in modern times, Mr Leckie believes both are vital connective tissue to the country’s tradition and past.
“The cost is not as much versus the satisfaction and happiness it brings to so many folk,” he said. “The bulk of Britain is going to enjoy this weekend and the coronation.
“There is the chance to be involved in a part of history of Britain, of Scotland and of the world - which will be in the history books forever.
“And if we are not to have these celebrations and the King and Queen were to be quietly crowned and nothing more was said that would be a shame.
“It is in the same way if we were to stop playing the bagpipes, stop drinking whisky, stop speaking Gaelic, stop celebrating the many Scottish traditions that we do.
“All that is part of the culture, the heritage, the history and the ethos of what Great Britain and Scotland stands for.
“And it is something to be so proud of.”
