Conveniently for the Royal Family, the date coincides with Royal Week in Scotland, when the Monarch stays at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, meeting Scots from all walks of life and conducting visits to celebrate Scottish culture, achievement and community.
Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson said: “The start of a new parliament is all about optimism, hope and a renewal of what the parliament means to the people of Scotland. Their Majesties’ support for this institution has been steadfast.
“It’s an honour to have The King and The Queen join us at the start of that journey alongside people from across Scotland who are at the centre of our plans to commemorate this milestone.”
This will be the King’s 8th visit to the Scottish Parliament. He first accompanied his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, in 1999. He was last at Holyrood two years ago to mark the institution’s 25th anniversary, when he spoke of the “uniquely special” place Scotland holds in his heart.
The Crown of Scotland – used at the coronation of Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1543 – will be part of the procession. Athletes who are due to compete at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow later in the summer will carry the Elizabeth Sword.
A lot of preparation goes into an event like this. Robert White, who is the Scottish Parliament’s postman, will be bearing the mace rather than the mail on Saturday. But he’s still hoping for a first-class delivery and has been practising walking at a regal pace.
“A lot of people say I’m the quickest person in the building, but when you do the mace, you have to be very, very slow,” he said.
“Everything starts with me. If I’m wrong then the whole procession’s wrong, so there’s a wee bit of weight on the shoulders to get that right.”