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Duke of Edinburgh joins MSPs for Kirking of Parliament

PA Media MSPs and guests stand holding service programmes during the Royal Kirking of Parliament at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. The group, dressed in formal attire, faces the front of the cathedral during the ceremonial church service beneath the building’s stone arches and warm lighting.PA Media
MSPs who will serve following last week's election attended the ceremony

Scotland's MSPs have been joined by the Duke of Edinburgh at St Giles' Cathedral for the traditional Royal Kirking of Parliament.

Members of Scotland's civic society also attended the ceremonial church service which marks the opening of a new parliamentary session.

In her sermon, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland said the start of the term offered a "new beginning".

The Right Reverend Rosie Frew spoke of the words emblazoned on the ceremonial mace which sits in the Holyrood Parliament – wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity.

Reuters Men in suits stand singing from printed hymn sheets during. The central man wears a dark pinstripe double-breasted suit with a patterned tie and pocket square. Several other men are visible behind him, also holding service booklets and singing. The setting has warm lighting and stone architecture, giving a ceremonial atmosphere.Reuters
The Duke of Edinburgh was among those in the congregation

The mace was gifted to Holyrood by the late Queen Elizabeth II, with the words it carries intended to guide MSPs.

PA Media Clergy members lead a ceremonial service at the altar inside St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh during the Royal Kirking of Parliament. Choir members and musicians stand near a large pipe organ in the background, while representatives from different faiths and civic groups hold programmes along the side aisle. A man in ceremonial academic robes sits in the foreground beneath the cathedral’s stone arches and stained glass windows.PA Media
The service took place at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh

The moderator, whose term at the General Assembly will finish this week, said: "These four words are not the possession of any one party. They are words for all of you, for all of us. Words of aspiration.

"For all our MSPs, new and returning, it is a new beginning – a new Parliament, new people to get to know, new roles, new commitments to get up to speed on."

She added: "We've had an election, and by their very nature elections are combative, heated battles at the hustings, the fight for votes, and yet as politicians regardless of party, there is so much that you have in common.

"Public service is not about personal gain or recognition but about serving the welfare of others.

PA Media woman with blonde hair stands behind a gold eagle statue as she reads in churhPA Media
Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone gave one of the readings

"It calls for wisdom, integrity, justice, and compassion, whether in formal leadership or everyday acts of service.

"By following these principles, public servants and individuals alike can honour God and contribute meaningfully to the welfare of our people and our land."

She added: "The words on the mace – wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity – remind you, our MSPs, and all of us, that democracy is more than the counting of votes.

"It is a moral enterprise, a shared commitment to seek the common good. And a common commitment to service."

PA Media smiling woman with blonde hair next to a smiling balding man PA Media
The duke chatted with Alison Johnstone at an event after the ceremony

The service, which included hymns, prayers and choral performances, traditionally takes place the evening before the first sitting of a new parliamentary term, which begins on Thursday.

It also featured a number of interfaith blessings on the Parliament – including the first ever pagan blessing at a Kirking ceremony.

Following the ceremony, Prince Edward moved on to the neighbouring Signet Library, where he met party leaders and members of Scottish parliamentary staff.