King Charles III has formally recognized Catherine, Princess of Wales, as Scotland’s Queen during a regal event held at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. The symbolic crowning marks the first time in modern royal history that such a distinction has been bestowed within the political heart of Scotland — and upon a future Queen Consort while the reigning monarch is still alive.
Held in the chamber of Holyrood, the event was steeped in tradition yet modern in its presentation. With the Scottish Crown Jewels — known as the Honours of Scotland — on display, and pipers playing a stirring procession through the Royal Mile, the ceremony blended royal pageantry with profound national significance.
Catherine, dressed in a deep royal blue ensemble with a matching tartan sash, entered the chamber alongside her husband, Prince William — known in Scotland as the Duke of Rothesay — to a standing ovation from members of the Scottish Parliament and invited dignitaries. Moments later, King Charles, seated beside Queen Camilla, rose to officially bestow the title “Queen-in-Waiting of Scots” on Catherine, praising her as “a figure of unity, compassion, and strength, well-suited to the lands and people of Scotland.”
While not a formal legal coronation, the ceremony was widely interpreted as a symbolic crowning — a gesture of respect toward Scotland’s distinct cultural identity and a clear signal of Catherine’s growing role as a future monarch. Royal experts have described the event as “deeply strategic,” amid ongoing conversations about Scotland’s relationship with the Crown and growing calls for independence.
“This is more than ceremonial,” said royal commentator Ingrid Wallace. “It’s a reaffirmation of the monarchy’s enduring presence in Scotland — and Catherine is now central to that image. The King is placing great trust in her to carry forward the legacy, not just in England, but across all the nations of the UK.”