Latest news with #Angiolini
STV News
16-05-2025
- General
- STV News
Royal Navy to guard Edinburgh Castle for first time
Sailors from across the Royal Navy say it is a 'privilege and honour' to guard Edinburgh Castle for the first time in history. The sailors are guarding the castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh from Friday until May 22 as Lady Elish Angiolini is welcomed as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. It marks the first occasion where the Navy has carried out such a task, with sailors in full uniform ahead of a senior service march for the arrival parade on Friday to welcome Lady Angiolini into the city at the Ceremony of the Keys. LPhot Stuart Dickson/Royal Navy The Royal Navy performed a dress rehearsal of the guard of honour. The duty is normally carried out by the British Army. Warrant Officer 1 Glynn 'Moffs' Moffat, the Royal Navy's state ceremonial training officer, said: 'It is a tremendous privilege and honour for the Royal Navy to be granted the unique opportunity, for the first time in history, to mount the ceremonial guard at both Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. 'These men and women, having so proudly represented the Royal Navy during the VE Day commemorations, now carry that same sense of duty and pride into the heart of Edinburgh. 'This historic moment follows a remarkable period in which the Royal Navy took centre stage as the lead service at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – another proud chapter in our enduring relationship with the city and its traditions. 'As someone who served aboard HMS Edinburgh and had the honour of marching her ship's company up the Royal Mile when we were granted the Freedom of the City in 2013, it's incredibly special to return under such historic circumstances. It truly feels like coming home.' The sailors have been rehearsing their routine alongside their colleagues in the Army, with drill instructors from both regiments at Redford Barracks ensuring they are up to scratch. A rehearsal took place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on Wednesday, before a full dress rehearsal for the inspecting officer of His Majesty's Governor of Edinburgh Castle, Major General Bob Bruce, on Thursday. The officer passed the guard of honour fit for duties. Brigadier Andrew Muddiman, Naval regional commander for Scotland and Northern Ireland, will be in attendance for the royal salute. He said: 'The General Assembly week is an important fixture in the Scottish calendar, and I'm delighted that this year the Royal Navy is able to provide the ceremonial support, from the Ceremony of the Keys to the individual guard mounts at the palace and Edinburgh Castle. 'It's a privilege to be in attendance for Lady Angiolini as the Lord High Commissioner as she inspects the Guard of Honour and meets our young sailors. 'For some this will be their first time in Edinburgh, for others a welcome return to the city. 'This is an opportunity for the Royal Navy to showcase its ceremonial skill and precision to the people of Scotland, who will not be disappointed.' The appointment of Lady Angiolini, a practising Roman Catholic, is a reflection of the historic declaration of friendship between the Kirk and the Catholic Church in Scotland. The Lord High Commissioner is the King's personal representative at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which meets in May each year. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
13-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
New law to lift ban on Catholics in Church of Scotland role
A new bill lifting the ban on Catholics becoming the King's representative at the Church of Scotland's annual assembly has been introduced at the House of Eilish Angiolini KC has been given the post of lord high commissioner of the church's 2025 general the former lord advocate is a practicing Catholic and legally prohibited from holding the position under laws written in the 19th Church of Scotland (Lord High Commissioner) Act 2025 would revoke that legislation and "make provision for persons of the Roman Catholic faith" to hold the role. The general assembly has met almost every year since the protestant reformation of meets to make laws and set agendas for the lord high commissioner acts as the sovereign's representative at the event, and delivers the opening and closing role is usually held by a prominent member of Scottish society, including King Charles himself in a provision in the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829 meant those of the Catholic faith were still barred from the act allowed Catholics in the United Kingdom to retain their faith while serving in parliament and higher it made an omission for the position of lord high commissioner. 'Goodwill and collaboration' The new Bill, proposed by Labour MP Pat McFadden, will remove that provision in time for Lady Angiolini to take up the job in cabinet office described her appointment as a "significant gesture of unity, goodwill and collaboration" between the Kirk and the Catholic Church in Angiolini, who was born in Glasgow's Govan to a family of Irish catholic descent, served as solicitor general under Jack McConnell between 2001 and was later lord advocate from 2007 until 2011, when she was succeeded by Lord described accepting the position as lord high commissioner as "a great honour" after being appointed to the role in December.
