High Constables and Guard of Honour of the Palace of Holyroodhouse
The High Constables of Holyroodhouse are a small corps of ceremonial bodyguards at the Sovereign's official residence in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh.As time went by the palace saw more use as a royal residence where members of the aristocracy and foreign dignitaries would be entertained, and where the Scottish Parliament and Privy Council would occasionally meet.[7] The High Constables of the Abbey had performed partially ceremonial duties as far back as at least 1825 where they met to escort the remains of the Duchess of Grammont, companion of Charles X of France, from the Royal Vault to a French frigate in Leith.The vote would take place at Holyrood Palace and the High Constables would ensure the peers were protected during the gathering, and that order was maintained during the election process.[10] During the restoration of St Giles' Cathedral in the 1880s, the High Constables donated a stained glass oriel window, in the south side-chapel.They provide a guard of honour for the King and his guests at the Palace, and at state functions such as banquets and garden parties.[17] Their ceremonial uniform today reflects the original and includes a blue velvet suit, a hat and a thin sword in a black leather scabbard.
High Constables of EdinburghUnited KingdomCharles IIIbodyguardsSovereignEdinburghPalaceScottish ParliamentPrivy Councillaw enforcementCharles X of FrancePerambulate the BoundsDuchess of GrammontQueen VictoriahalberdAct of UnionScottish representative peerSt Giles' CathedralRoyal Arms of ScotlandHereditary Keeper of the Palace of HolyroodhouseLord Provost of EdinburghLord High CommissionerGeneral AssemblyChurch of ScotlandRoyal HouseholdScotlandguard of honourPalace of HolyroodhouseDoorward Guard of PartisansretainersLord High Constable of ScotlandRoyal Company of ArchersGeorge VYeomen Warders