The Royal smile

Charles's delight as Scots give him the warmest of welcomes

- MARK MCGIVERN

SCOTLAND enjoyed its biggest royal celebration in more than 70 years as King Charles received the Honours of Scotland on a day of history.

Fears of protesters wrecking proceedings faded in the warm sun as people flooded to the Royal Mile to acknowledge the newly crowned King and Queen.

Yesterday's scenes in Edinburgh echoed those of 1953, when Queen Elizabeth received the symbolic Honours of Scotland - our nation's crown jewels.

The crown, sceptre and a new sword named after his mother symbolise the monarch's close links to Scotland and the day was billed as a thanksgiving for our new King.

Scores of protesters did make their point, via anti-royal placards and chants, to millions watching the events on the Royal Mile and St Giles' Cathedral on TV.

Snipers were posted on the roofs of key buildings and special forces officers mingled with crowds, amid fears of terror attacks or disruption by protesters getting out of hand.

Previous stunts by Just Stop Oil fanatics, who targeted Wimbledon yesterday, had primed security forces for what might lie in store.

Among strategic measures put in place was the erection of black 6ft steel barriers along the Royal Mile.

But by late afternoon only eight people had been arrested.

By 11am, two hours ahead of formalities starting, the crowds were five deep, lapping up the sunshine.

The key address by the Moderator of the Church of Scotland's general assembly, the Right Rev Sally FosterFulton, hinted that issues regarding the UK constitution may be of less concern that other global issues.

In her homily, she said: "We are all a small part of something so much bigger. This beautiful, sacred creation and everyone and everything in it."