King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla welcomed at first public engagement since royal mourning period

King Charles III appeared in good spirits as he made his first public appearance since the royal period of mourning ended.

The monarch, 73, and the Queen Consort, 75, attended an event in Dunfermline in Fife on Monday, in which the area was given city status as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Their visit follows the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022, which led to a period of 10 days of mourning across the UK while the royal family stayed in mourning until Monday 26 September.

The monarch arrived in a blue tartan kilt and the crowds shouted “God Save the King” as he walked by.

There were thousands of people at the event and King Charles III said that he was “delighted” that the area was now a city and that he hoped that local people would be filled with pride.

He said: “That would, I know, gladden my dear mother’s heart, as it certainly gladdens mine.

“As you celebrate your well deserved status as Soctland’s new city, I can only offer my warmest congratulations, and my heartfelt wishes for the years to come.”

Several towns across the country had the honour of becoming cities as part of the jubilee - they include Doncaster, Bangor, Colchester, Douglas, Milton Keynes, Stanley, Wrexham and Dunfermline.

King Charles continued: “I was delighted when, in May this year, it was announced that Dunfermline was one of the eight communities being granted City Status to make the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

“There could be no more fitting way to mark my beloved mother’s extraordinary life of service than by granting this honour to a place made famous by its own long and distinguished history, and by the indispensable role that it has played in the life of our country.

“Now, of course, we gather to celebrate this great occasion but also to commemorate the life of Her Late Majesty, whose deep love for Scotland was one of the foundations of her life.”

Nicola Sturgeon was also at the event and was greeted by both boos and cheers upon her arrival.

She said: “It is a great honour indeed that at the start of your era Your Majesties are here to mark this further milestone for this very special community.”

Alister Jack, Secretary of State for Scotland was also pleased to welcome the King.

He said: “It is a huge honour for Dunfermline to be bestowed city status and will be a huge boost to the city and its people.

“And it’s a huge honour that the King and Queen have made this their first official visit together after royal mourning.”

The King went on to visit Dunfermline Abbey after the ceremony - the historic building has just celebrated its 950th anniversary and is the resting place of Robert The Bruce, King of Scots.

The monarch will also host an event in the Palace of Holyrood on Monday 4 October which will celebrate communities of British South Asian descent.

Following this he will host his first investiture ceremony (a ceremony where the monarch honours people with MBE’s and OBE’s) since the death of the Queen.