Queen formally welcomed to Edinburgh at start of Holyrood week

The Queen has taken part in an ancient ceremony to formally welcome her to Edinburgh at the start of Holyrood week.

The annual Ceremony of the Keys saw the monarch handed the keys of the city and welcomed by Edinburgh Lord Provost Frank Ross.

The Queen is symbolically offered the keys to the city by the Lord Provost and tradition dictates that she then returns them, entrusting their safekeeping to Edinburgh's elected officials.

A guard of honour at the palace was formed by Balaklava Company, The Argyll and Sunderland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Pipes and drums were provided by The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland with music by the Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The ceremony on the palace forecourt marks the traditional start to the monarch's stay at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's official residence in Scotland.

Holyrood week includes an investiture and garden party at the palace while the Queen will also host a reception for the Royal Auxiliary Air Force 603 City of Edinburgh squadron and attend the annual Order of the Thistle Service at St Giles' Cathedral.