Britain’s King Charles in first public engagement since Queen Elizabeth’s death
- Hundreds turned out on the streets of Dunfermline in Scotland, hoping to get a glimpse of the new monarch and his wife, Camilla, the Queen Consort
- The royal couple were also expected to host a reception in Edinburgh later for about 300 guests in to celebrate the British South Asian community
King Charles III and his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, visited Scotland on Monday in their first joint public engagement since the royal mourning period to remember Queen Elizabeth ended.
Hundreds turned out on the streets of Dunfermline in Fife, north of Edinburgh, hoping to get a glimpse of the new monarch. Charles, who wore a kilt for the visit and spent time shaking hands with well-wishers after he greeted Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and other leaders.
The royal couple were visiting to formally give city status to Dunfermline, the birthplace of another King Charles: Charles I, who reigned in the 17th century before his execution, was the last British monarch born in Scotland.
Dunfermline was among eight towns that won city status as part of Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this year to mark Elizabeth’s 70 years on the throne.
“There could be no more fitting way to mark my beloved mother’s extraordinary life of service than by granting this honour to a place made famous by its own long and distinguished history, and by the indispensable role it has played in the life of our country,” Charles said in a speech.