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Queen smiles from ear to ear as she watches parade in Scotland

Watch: Queen gets key to Edinburgh Castle at Armed Forces parade

The Queen looked in the epitome of high spirits as she watched and took part in a military parade in Edinburgh on Tuesday.

The royal, 96, who has recently reduced her public engagement count due to mobility issues, was full of smiles she attended the Armed Forces Act of Loyalty Parade at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The event was held to celebrate her week-long visit to Scotland and to mark her Platinum Jubilee.

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The Queen attends an Armed Forces Act of Loyalty Parade at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland, on June 28, 2022. - Queen Elizabeth II has travelled to Scotland for a week of royal events. (Photo by Jane Barlow / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JANE BARLOW/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The Queen beams at a parade in Edinburgh as part of week of royal events in Scotland. (Getty Images)

The parade included the presentation of the key for Edinburgh Castle as is tradition, as well as meeting with members of the services.

The army, navy and air force were represented at the service and and a royal salute took place on her arrival.

Read more: Queen appears cheery as she makes unexpected Edinburgh visit with Sophie and Edward

The Queen waves as she attends an Armed Forces Act of Loyalty Parade at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland, on June 28, 2022. - Queen Elizabeth II has travelled to Scotland for a week of royal events. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP) (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)
The Queen waves at an Armed Forces Act of Loyalty Parade at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on Tuesday, 28 June. (Getty Images)

Major General Alastair Bruce of Crionaich, governor of Edinburgh Castle, who presented the key to the Queen, addressed her with, “We, the serving members of Your Majesty’s Armed Forces, bound by our oath to You, your Heirs and Successors, offer for Your gracious acceptance the Key to Your Majesty’s Royal Castle of Edinburgh.”

The Queen responded, "I return this key to the safekeeping of My Governor of Edinburgh Castle, in gratitude for the symbolic Act of Loyalty of Our Armed Forces, confident of your faithful allegiance to your oath.”

The Queen attends an Armed Forces Act of Loyalty Parade at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on June 28, 2022 in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Members of the Royal Family are spending a Royal Week in Scotland, carrying out a number of engagements between Monday June 27 and Friday July 01, 2022. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Members of the Royal Family are spending a Royal Week in Scotland, carrying out a number of engagements between Monday 27 June and Friday 01 July. (Getty Images)

Members of the armed forces gave the royal three cheers before a pipe tune composed for the jubilee, called Dieu Ragnari, was played as she waved goodbye, retuning to the palace.

The act of loyalty and presentation of the key marked the 200th anniversary of King George IV's visit to Scotland in 1822.

The Queen was pictured wearing a lilac wool dress and coat with a matching hat, by Angela Kelly.

Later the Princess Royal will present honours in an investiture ceremony at the palace, recognising James McGoldrick, the assistant general secretary of the United Nations, and Ross McEwan, the chief executive of the Royal Bank of Scotland, and others.

Read more: The Queen returns to work without walking stick as she receives award

The Queen attends an Armed Forces Act of Loyalty Parade at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on June 28, 2022 in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Members of the Royal Family are spending a Royal Week in Scotland, carrying out a number of engagements between Monday June 27 and Friday July 01, 2022. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
The Queen cheerfully meets with members of the services. (Getty Images)

The Queen's smiles at the armed forces parade follow her cheeriness when she unexpectedly arrived in Edinburgh on Monday, marking the beginning of Royal Week in Scotland.

She arrived to take part in Ceremony of the Keys at Holyroodhouse, where her week-long residence is held, and was joined by Prince Edward, her youngest son, and his wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

The monarch's royal visit to Scotland follows her Platinum Jubilee earlier this month, marking her 70 years of service, with events like Trooping the Colour, the Service of Thanksgiving and the Platinum Party at the palace stand outs.

The Queen attends an Armed Forces Act of Loyalty Parade at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland, on June 28, 2022. - Queen Elizabeth II has travelled to Scotland for a week of royal events. (Photo by Jane Barlow / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JANE BARLOW/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The Queen has travelled to Scotland for a week of royal events. (Getty Images)