He king charles led the procession of the “second coronation” in Scotland along the royal distance of Edinburgh. In keeping with tradition dating back to the “Union of the Crowns” in the 17th century, and following in his mother’s footsteps seventy years ago, the king received the “Scottish Prize” on Wednesday in a ceremony more secretive and austere than almost anywhere in the world. two months ago at Westminster.

The trip was the same as the first funeral Isabel IIbetween Holyrood Palace and St. Giles, five days after his death at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022. Charles III will instead receive a new sword in honor of his mother (which is named the “Sword of Elizabeth”), in addition to James V’s crown royal sword and scepter, in an act laden with symbolism and at a critical time in Scotland.

The ceremony was preceded by a “people’s procession” which departed from Edinburgh Castle. In contrast to the dark clouds of the first coronation, the second ceremony in the Scottish capital took place under bright sunlight and with rhythms marked by pipers from the royal regiments.

Hundreds of Scots lined the royal mile to see the king, where Republican protesters were seen (and heard) chanting “Not my king!” Support for the monarchy has declined since Elizabeth II’s death and increasingly regarded as an “English thing”. According to a Focaldata survey, 45% of Scots support the crown, compared to 36% who support an elected head of state.

During “Scottish royal week”, which starts this week, Carlos III should be departed with the chief minister, Humza Yousaf, real republican and independent. The Scottish National Party (SNP) leader who took the baton from Nicola Sturgeon, peppered by a scandal over the party’s illegal financing, has left the holding of a second independence referendum up in the air.

Former chief minister and leader of the Alba party Alex Salmond, architect of the first popular consultation in 2014 at which provisions in the UK expired (by 55% to 45%), declined the invitation on the grounds that it was a “second-class coronation”.

Deputy Greens leader Lorna Slater, part of a coalition government with the SNP, took the opportunity to publicly criticize the monarchy: “How can you justify a system that allows one family to enjoy wealth and privilege while millions of British people have so little?

In any case, the ceremony continues by itself. In a religious action at St. Giles, Carlos III attended (as at Westminster) the rite of the Stone of Destiny, which was used during the coronations of Scottish kings. Along with Queen Camila, the Princes of Wales William and Kate also support the king, who in Scotland is known as the Duke of Rothesay (the title the heir to the Scottish throne receives).

Back at Holyrood Palace, the royal family’s official residence in Edinburgh, King Charles attends the “Red Arrow” air raid on the “Seat of Arthur”, the majestic mountain that dominates Scotland’s monumental capital. .

“Although opinion polls have declined since the queen’s death, it is true that the institution of the monarchy has managed to overcome much of Scotland’s political, religious and social upheaval,” said John Curtice, a professor at the University of Srathclyde. the “oracle” of British politics.