Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland performed the guard of honour for the opening of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on 14 May 2026, the British Army say.
The Arrival Parade and Ceremony of the Keys took place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, with musical accompaniment provided by the combined Pipes and Drums of The Royal Irish Regiment, The Queens Royal Hussars, The Irish Guards and The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland. The British Army’s senior representative at the parade was the Governor of Edinburgh Castle, Major General Bob Bruce CBE DSO.
Each year, His Majesty The King appoints a Lord High Commissioner to represent the Sovereign at the General Assembly. This year the role is held by Lady Elish Angiolini LT DBE PC KC FRSE.
The following morning, 19th Regiment Royal Artillery fired a gun salute from Edinburgh Castle at 9:50am as the Lord High Commissioner travelled to the General Assembly, with the Royal Marines Band Scotland providing musical support. Castle and Palace Guard was provided by members of the Royal Navy, also with musical support from the Royal Marines Band Scotland and the combined pipes and drums.
The parade marked the first ceremonial duty of Warrant Officer Class One Michael Little, Scots Guards, in his new role as Edinburgh Garrison Sergeant Major. He said he was “honoured to take over the prestigious role of Garrison Sergeant Major” and “privileged that my first ceremonial duty is the Arrival Parade which marks the start of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.”
The General Assembly symbolises the fulfilment of His Majesty The King’s oath made at the Accession Council on 10 September 2022 to assure the independence of the Church of Scotland, as agreed in the Treaty of Union of 1707.
