Queen, 96, looks sprightly as she attends ‘act of loyalty’ military parade in Edinburgh

The Queen has been photographed beaming as she attended an armed forces parade in Edinburgh today.

Her Majesty, 96, joined the Armed Forces at the Palace of Holyroodhouse as they marked her Platinum Jubilee in Scotland.

The appearance came as Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is planning to announce her plans for a second referendum. This afternoon, she will outline how she intends to forge ahead with a second vote for Scottish independence either with or without Boris Johnson’s agreement.

But despite the potential constitutional crisis brewing, the Queen looked sprightly while she was pictured at the celebrations. 

And while she carried her now customary walking stick, a video of the monarch’s arrival showed her getting off the train alone, suggesting her mobility may be good at the moment.

Her Majesty appeared happy to be in Scotland today (pictured) as she attended an armed forces parade in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse

As has become common these days, her Majesty, 96, was photographed carrying a walking stick during today’s appearance

The monarch appeared to be in good spirits as she attended the parade in Edinburgh, and was photographed beaming

Among today’s celebrations were a parade and presentation of the key for Edinburgh Castle in the gardens of the palace. 

The army, navy and the air force were represented at the service, with a royal salute taking place as the Queen arrived in the gardens.

Lord Lyon, King of Arms, then presented three senior representatives from the services to the Queen.

They were joined by three cadets, representing each service, who will then parade the key to Edinburgh Castle across the gardens before presenting it to Major General Alastair Bruce of Crionaich, Governor of Edinburgh Castle.

Her Majesty donned a lavender coat with large ox blood buttons, and a matching hat, with the same button detailing for today’s Scottish appearance

The 96-year-old, pictured at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, will be in Scotland for a week of royal events marking her Platinum Jubilee

Today’s ceremony, watched by the  Queen (pictured) is part of the monarch’s traditional trip to Scotland for Holyrood Week

The Major General then addressed the Queen.

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

On Tuesday afternoon, the Princess Royal will then present honours in an investiture ceremony at the palace.

Among those to be recognised will be James McGoldrick, the assistant general secretary of the United Nations, and Ross McEwan, the chief executive of the Royal Bank of Scotland.

These celebrations come ahead of a speech planned by Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon this afternoon.

In a statement to Holyrood today, Nicola Sturgeon is expected to lay out her plans to stage another independence referendum in October next year, with or without permission from Westminster

The SNP leader is expected to reveal plans to hold another independence referendum in October – which she plans to do with or without permission from Westminster.

Any new vote would follow 2014’s referendum, which was described as a ‘once in a generation’ event by both sides.

However, after Scots voted in favour of staying part of the union by 55-54, Nicola Sturgeon pursued another ballot, leading to criticism that she has an ‘obsession’ with independence, and should be concentrating on the cost-of-living crisis.

But the politician is expected to argue today that her party’s victory in Holyrood elections gives her a mandate to re-run the ballot.