ROYAL VISIT FOR DUNFERMLINE ABBEY

ON their first public engagement after a period of mourning the King and Queen Consort visited Dunfermline Abbey in October.

The historic Abbey Church of Dunfermline this year celebrates its 950th anniversary as a place of worship. During the visit – which came after a visit to the city chambers nearby where King Charles III officially conferred city status on the ancient capital of Scotland – the King and Queen Consort met the minister at Dunfermline Abbey, the Rev MaryAnn Rennie, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Iain Greenshields and his wife Linda and a number of community groups.

The royal couple were presented with a gift – abeautiful portrait of two swans by East Lothian artist Caroline Convey entitled ‘Partners In A Heavenly Calling’.

The couple also met community groups and heard musicians from local high schools during their visit to the historic Abbey.

They walked along the cobbled street to the Church after a special council meeting in the nearby city chambers where Dunfermline officially moved from town to city status. The Abbey Church was part of the bid by Fife Council for Dunfermline. The status was awarded as part of the late Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.

Thousands of people lined the streets of the city to welcome the King and Queen Consort on their first official public engagement after a period of official mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth.

The King and Queen Consort were welcomed to the new city by the Lord Lieutenant of Fife, Robert Balfour and the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon and the Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack.

A special council meeting saw the new city status conferred and a special musical contribution from young members of Dunfermline Junior Chorus.

Dr Greenshields, who is minister at Dunfermline: St Margaret’s also delivered a blessing on the city to mark the occasion.