Queen meets author JK Rowling to mark start of royal week

The Queen has met author JK Rowling to mark the start of Royal Week in Edinburgh.

The pair discussed their "shared passion for books" and importance of children reading during the meeting at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Royal Week, also known as Holyrood Week, takes place in the Scottish capital every July and celebrates Scottish culture, community and achievements.

It began with King Charles III taking part in the Ceremony of the Keys at his official residence, and features an investiture ceremony and garden party at Holyrood Park.

In a statement published on social media, the Royal Family said the Queen and Rowling "had a deep commitment to children reading for pleasure".

They added: "Her Majesty and Ms Rowling discussed the importance of ensuring that young people have access to books and the vital part reading plays in opening doors for future generations."

King urges MSPs to help build a 'fair and prosperous society'

Idris Elba knighted as Sarina Wiegman and Lionesses lead New Year Honours

Rowling is best known for the Harry Potter novels and, according to the Sunday Times Rich List, has a personal fortune of £975m.

She wrote part of the series at the Elephant House café in Edinburgh, which reopened in December after being gutted by a fire in 2021.

More recently she has been embroiled in a long-running row with former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP government over gender identification policies.

King Charles III arrived in Edinburgh for the start of Royal Week

King Charles arrived by helicopter and was greeted to a guard of honour provided by Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland to begin the annual week-long visit.

The King was presented with the a set of keys by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh Robert Aldridge, who held them out on a red cushion, which the monarch symbolically touched and returned for safekeeping.

Aldridge said: "We, the Lord Provost and members of the City of Edinburgh Council, welcome Your Majesty to the capital city of your ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland, and offer for your gracious acceptance the keys of Your Majesty's good city of Edinburgh."

The Lord Provost of Edinburgh Robert Aldridge presents the keys to the City of Edinburgh to King Charles III during the Ceremony of the Keys at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

In return, the King gave the traditional reply: "I return these keys perfectly convinced that they cannot be placed in better hands than those of the Lord Provost and councillors of my good city of Edinburgh."

Before the ceremony, the palace's gardens were tra