FIT FOR A KING
Charles coronation – Scots turn out to watch historic moment King is crowned at events across country
Scots across the UK have paid their respects to King Charles as he was crowned at a historic coronation ceremony.
Events were held in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeenshire.
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The monarch made the solemn oath to pledge his life to his country alongside Queen Camilla.
He wore a crimson Robe of State made for his grandfather George VI’s coronation in 1937.
At Edinburgh Castle, a 21-round royal salute was fired one minute after midday, as the King was crowned.
Members of 105 Regiment Royal Artillery fired the salute, with members of the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland taking up position as castle guard musicians from Reserve Bands of The Royal Regiment of Scotland and adult instructors of the Army Cadet Force performed.
They played God Save The King after the gun salute was finished.
Elaine Thomas, 40, from Winchburgh, West Lothian, attended the screening at Princes Street Gardens with her family.
The pharmacist was joined by son Harris, one, daughter Amber, three, husband Gavin 37, grannies and aunties.
She said: "For us it's a historic moment and a nice get-together as a family. We're having picnic and just enjoying a great day.
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"It's mostly for my children. I hope they sit still, soak up the atmosphere.
"I hope my daughter will one day be able to look back and remember the King's coronation.
"It was pretty quiet at the beginning but it picked up. The sun is trying to get out."
Meanwhile in the central belt around 200 people packed into Glasgow Cathedral.
They followed the proceedings on eight screens spaced out along the aisle of the grand kirk.
Some Scots even made the long journey to London to mark the occasion.
Lifelong royalist Alan Carruthers was one of them.
The Scot raced to book tickets the minute details of the coronation were revealed.
The coach company owner, 46, donned a Rangers jacket, as he made history with his wife Julie, 46, and son Euan, 11.
The Royal fanatics were desperate to bag a front row seat at The Hyde Park celebration.
And soaked up the electric atmosphere after jumping on a flight down to the capital from Glasgow.
Alan told The Scottish Sun: “As soon as the date was announced, I rushed online to get my flights booked.
“I’ve made the journey down here for the coronation. I’m a massive royal fan.
“It would be amazing if I caught a glimpse of the King today - I’ve been a fan of the Royals all my life.”
“I’m so proud of the royals - just everything about them.
“They’re upstanding people, they really are. They do a lot for this country.”
The Glasgow monarchist added: “The atmosphere has been amazing. The highlight for me has been the number of people who have made the journey down here to experience this special day.
“It’s incredible, absolutely incredible."
And the Scots family are determined to make a weekend of it, with plans to soak up all that London has to offer.
He said: “We’ve got a few things booked for the next few days, we’ll see what happens.
"We quite fancy doing a bit of sightseeing and doing the London Eye."
Elsewhere in London, Edinburgh expat Nicola McSparron travelled from Queensland, Australia to attend her cousin's wedding in Devon.
The admin worker, in her 50s, and hubby Jim, 57, have lived Down Under for the past 13 years.
However the pair rushed off early to catch a glimpse of the incoming King.
The monarchy-daft Scot told The Scottish Sun: “I’m here because I’m proud to be British. I’m a British subject and have a British passport.
“I’ve never had the joy of witnessing a coronation.
“Today has been wonderful, we started off in Whitehall then we headed along to Horseguard.
“The atmosphere in the city was amazing - it was so positive."
But the massive crowds forced the ecstatic pair to find shelter in South Kensington’s lively Duke of Clarence boozer.
She added: “I didn’t want to miss the ceremony but there were a few road closures, a heavy police presence and it was a bit wet.
"We decided to settle in the pub and watch it on the telly.
“We left Horseguards and jumped straight onto the tube - the pub is right next to the action.”
The beaming couple plan to make the most of their time in the UK.
Nicola laughed: “My husband is going to the Newcastle and Arsenal game tomorrow.”
But other Scots were less enthusiastic about the historic event.
Jason Craig, from Drumchapel, Glasgow stays in London and blasted the pageantry of today's coronation - branding it an “absolute farce”.
The chef, 33, moved to the capital seven months ago, after struggling to find hospitality work in Scotland.
The anti-monarchist braved the rainfall to join a lively revellers in Hyde Park, in celebration of the historic event.
He said: “I think this coronation is an absolute farce.
“£250m getting spent on this p**h.
“I’m from Scotland, what about people from Scotland having to use food banks?
“We’re trying to get independence, we’re trying to break away from England but they’re spending all this money on having a party and you’re getting locked in a park to watch it."
When quizzed on his motivation for attending the celebrations, he answered: “Absolute stupidness is what it is.”
He added: “They should be concentrating on the bigger issues such as the cost of living, soaring rent and the price of food shopping.
“There are Scottish people, English people, Welsh people and Irish people who are totally forgotten about.
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