The Right Honourable Lord Lyon King of Arms is to summon a new UK Parliament from Edinburgh, in a ceremony which dates back to before the Union of 1707.
The Royal Proclamation will be given by Lord Lyon King of Arms at the Mercat Cross at 3pm today, marking the dissolution of parliament.
Taking place ahead of the UK Parliamentary Election on May 7th, the rite will see the Lord Lyon King of Arms read a proclamation summoning a new UK Parliament, which will be signed by HM the Queen at Windsor Castle at a meeting of the Privy Council that morning.
Parliament will automatically dissolve today in accordance with the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 and current Prime Minister David Cameron will go to Buckingham Palace to advise Her Majesty The Queen of the dissolution of Parliament.
Today’s ceremony in Edinburgh, on the city’s historic Royal Mile, will involve Dame Sue Bruce, Returning Officer for Edinburgh.
She said: “This is an historic occasion, and marks an important point in the political calendar. Set against the Capital’s iconic Royal Mile, this upholds tradition which I would encourage the public to come along and see.
“After being in the international spotlight during the Referendum in September, Edinburgh continues to play a crucial role in the democratic process. The forthcoming election enables the city’s residents to have their say, and I take this opportunity to encourage electors to ensure their voter registration details are correct in order not to miss out.”
The Sheriff Clerk will also be representing the Sheriff Principal of Lothian and Borders, alongside Her Majesty’s Officers of Arms and the State Trumpeters of Scotland, The Guard of Honour from The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and the Pipes and Drums of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Find out when, where and how to vote on the Council’s website.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
