Perth city accolade in royal visit

Jul 6 2012

The Queen will receive the keys to the city of Perth as she concludes her week-long residence in Scotland.

The monarch will undertake a series of engagements in the Perthshire area on the final day of Royal Week, which has included celebrations to mark the Diamond Jubilee.

The day will start with a special event in the city centre at which the Queen will be given the Keys to the City and the Duke of Edinburgh will be presented with the Freedom of the City.

There will also be a performance by the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland.

Perth became Scotland's seventh city earlier this year after it was awarded the status to mark the Diamond Jubilee.

The royal couple will also visit the Black Watch Museum at Balhousie Castle, where they will learn about the Black Watch Heritage Appeal and museum development plans.

They will later visit Perth College, University of the Highlands and Islands, where the Queen will meet students and the Duke of Edinburgh will view exhibitions.

The day will conclude with a lunch at Scone Palace.

The visit to Perth follows a number of Royal Week events this week, including an engagement at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh, a garden party and investiture ceremony at Holyrood Palace and a special jubilee thanksgiving service in Glasgow.

The Queen was also joined by the Princess Royal and the Duchess of Cambridge as her grandson Prince William, known as the earl of Strathearn in Scotland, was installed as a Knight of the Thistle at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh.