Innerleithen man's important role at Palace of Holyroodhouse ceremony

Her Majesty the Queen met with members of the armed forces during an act of loyalty parade which centred on the presentation of the key for Edinburgh Castle.

The Queen arrived in the gardens, via the Equerry’s Door, and a royal salute took place before the Lord Lyon, King of Arms, presented three senior representatives from the services to her.

Three cadets from each of the services, including Corporal Jackson, then paraded the Edinburgh Castle key across the gardens before presenting it to Major General Alastair Bruce of Crionaich, the governor of the castle.

Corporal David Jackson with Major General Bruce at Palace of Holyroodhouse

The key to the castle was then presented to the Queen by Major General Bruce who said: “We, the serving members of Your Majesty’s Armed Forces, bound by our oath to You, your Heirs and Successors, offer for Your gracious acceptance the Key to Your Majesty’s Royal Castle of Edinburgh.”

To which she responded: “I return this key to the safekeeping of My Governor of Edinburgh Castle, in gratitude for the symbolic Act of Loyalty of Our Armed Forces, confident of your faithful allegiance to your oath.”

Three cheers for the Queen were then given by members of the armed forces before a pipe tune composed for the Platinum Jubilee called Dieu Ragnari was played as she waved goodbye and returned to the palace.

The act of loyalty and presentation of the key to Edinburgh Castle marked the 200th anniversary of King George IV’s visit to Scotland in 1822.

Corporal Jackson, of Innerleithen, is in Minden Company of the Lothians and Borders Battalion of the ACF in Peebles.

He is the Lord Lieutenant's Cadet and was at the Beltane Cross Kirk Service on June 19 and at the Beating of the Retreat by the Royal Marines on June 25 in Edinburgh’s High Street.