Queen Camilla Meets JK Rowling to Mark Start of Royal Week in Edinburgh

The Queen has met author JK Rowling to mark the start of Royal Week in Edinburgh.

The pair discussed their "shared passion for books" and importance of children reading during the meeting at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Royal Week, also known as Holyrood Week, takes place in the Scottish capital every July and celebrates Scottish culture, community and achievements.

It began with King Charles III taking part in the Ceremony of the Keys at his official residence, and features an investiture ceremony and garden party at Holyrood Park.

In a statement published on social media, the Royal Family said the Queen and Rowling "had a deep commitment to children reading for pleasure".

They added: "Her Majesty and Ms Rowling discussed the importance of ensuring that young people have access to books and the vital part reading plays in opening doors for future generations."

Rowling is best known for the Harry Potter novels and, according to the Sunday Times Rich List, has a personal fortune of £975m.

She wrote part of the series at the Elephant House café in Edinburgh, which reopened in December after being gutted by a fire in 2021.

More recently she has been embroiled in a long-running row with former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP government over gender identification policies.

King Charles arrived by helicopter and was greeted by a guard of honour provided by Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland to begin the annual week-long visit.

The King was presented with a set of keys by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh Robert Aldridge, who held them out on a red cushion, which the monarch symbolically touched and returned for safekeeping.

Aldridge said: "We, the Lord Provost and members of the City of Edinburgh Council, welcome Your Majesty to the capital city of your ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland, and offer for your gracious acceptance the keys of Your Majesty's good city of Edinburgh."

The event started with the Crown of Scotland being escorted down the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle before the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland brass ensemble performed a fanfare in the debating chamber.

The King will later hold an investiture ceremony and garden party at the palace, at the foot of the Royal Mile, alongside Queen Camilla, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal.

Those receiving honours included forensic scientist Lorna Dawson, who was awarded a damehood in the New Year Honours, and New Seekers singer Eve Graham, who becomes an MBE for services to the music industry.

Simon Milne, regius keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, also received a knighthood for services to botany, conservation and horticulture.