Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent

After the formal proceedings conclude, their Majesties will join a reception with "local heroes" who have been chosen to represent constituencies and regions across the country.

Among them is four-year-old Gregor Corse from Orkney. He was born with a brain condition which affects his balance and motor skills and is the youngest ever local hero.

He's been nominated after raising £70,000 for charity by doing laps around his house, supported by a walking frame.

His mum, Iona, will be with him.

"He's very excited, he's been telling everybody about getting to meet the King," she said.

She added that Gregor's walking came on leaps and bounds while doing the challenge, but warned "The King might need to open his arms and catch him."

Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent

Image source, BB

The Makar, Padraig MacAoidh (Peter MacKay), has been commissioned to write a poem to mark the occasion.

Scotland's national poet will deliver his work in Gaelic, though an English translation will appear in the programme.

"Let This Hall Be Full of Noises" features seven stanzas of seven lines, to mark the 7th session.

"If there is a political message, it's to do what's right, to take things seriously, to feel the responsibility of power, and to consider all of the country and all of its different diverse locations," he said.

"Everybody has to be reflected and to have their voices heard."

Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent

Robert White, who is the Scottish Parliament's postman, will be bearing the mace rather than the mail today. 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."

Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent

The ceremony will include performances from the National Youth Choir of Scotland's BSL Youth Choir - which incorporates sign language - as well as musicians Rachel Groves and Ellie Beaton from Aberdeenshire and a drama exploring Scottish culture and identity, featuring members of the Lyceum Youth Theatre.

Thomas Candlin, 17, is beyond grateful to be involved.

"It's quite nerve-wracking because obviously it's such a big event for the entirety of the country." he said. "There's so many important people there, there's quite a lot of pressure to get it perfect".

Image source, PA

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."

Gibson said the royal couple's support for the parliament had been "steadfast."

He said: "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.

"I look forward to celebrating the very best of Scotland, reflecting on our heritage, acknowledging our traditions, but most importantly, with a focus on our future."

The Mace, Elizabeth Sword and Crown of Scotland will be carried into the chamber as part of a procession to a fanfare composed by Sir James MacMillan KT CBE, conducted by John Logan and performed by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Brass Ensemble.

Opening remarks will be made by the presiding officer, before His Majesty addresses the chamber to formally open the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament.

The National Theatre of Scotland perform As Others See Us, written and directed by Martin O’Connor and performed by members of The Lyceum Youth Theatre.

This will be followed by The Beat of a Different Drum, performed by the National Youth Choir of Scotland’s Edinburgh Regional Choir, led by Mark Evans, and NYCOS BSL Youth Choir, led by Paul Whittaker.

First Minister John Swinney will then respond.

Scotland’s Makar, Pàdraig MacAoidh [Peter Mackay], will deliver a specially commissioned poem in Gaelic, Let This Hall by Full of Noises.

Ae Fond Kiss will be performed by Ellie Beaton (vocals) and Rachel Groves (clarsach), current and previous BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year winners.

Bonnie Dundee and A Hundred Pipers will be performed by the Scottish Parliament’s piper Stuart McMillan MSP from the Members’ Garden as guests depart.

After the ceremony, the King and Queen will meet local heroes chosen by MSPs to represent constituencies and regions across Scotland.

Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent

Image source, PA Media

Duke of Hamilton and Brandon carrying the Crown of Scotland into the Scottish Parliament building.

It’s so windy I was worried it would blow over.

Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent

For the majority of MSPs this will be their first experience of a Royal Opening.

Sixty five of the 129 members were elected for the first time this session.

But it's the 8th time the King has been to the Scottish Parliament.

The last occasion was just a couple of years ago when he attended the ceremony to mark Holyrood's 25th anniversary.

Then, he spoke of the "uniquely special" place Scotland held in his heart.

He first came on 1 of July 1999, when as Prince of Wales he accompanied his parents, the late Queen and Duke of Edinburgh for a celebration to mark the devolution of powers from Westminster to Holyrood.

The anniversary of that date helps to explain why the Opening Ceremony takes place seven weeks after the election, at the start of the summer recess.

Image source, PA Media

The King and Queen will join MSPs at a "milestone" event to mark the opening of the next term of the Scottish Parliament.

King Charles will give an address to formally open the parliament following May's Holyrood election.

Today's event will also include performances from the National Theatre of Scotland and the National Youth Choir of Scotland.

Scotland's national poet, makar Padraig MacAoidh, will perform a specially-commissioned work called Let This Hall Be Full Of Noises, which he will read in Gaelic with an English translation.

After the ceremony, the King and Queen will meet local heroes chosen by MSPs to represent constituencies and regions across Scotland.

The King and Queen were both at a special event at Holyrood in 2024 to mark the parliament's 25th anniversary.

Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

King Charles and Queen Camilla will be at Holyrood today to mark the official start of the 7th session of the Scottish Parliament.

During the celebrations there will be pageantry, poetry and piping, with speeches by the King, the presiding officer and the first minister.

But why is the ceremony taking place as MSPs begin their summer recess?

It's a question which has caused confusion for many of the new intake.

The Royal Opening of the new Scottish Parliament took place on 1 July 1999, the day the new law-making body officially got its powers.

By that point, MSPs had already been elected for several weeks. But with no authority to make any legislative changes, much of the time was spent setting up committee structures, and agreeing how question times and debates would operate.

Read more here.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the formal opening of the new session of the Scottish Parliament by King Charles, following May's Holyrood election.

His Majesty, who will be accompanied by the Queen, will address MSPs in the chamber.

Stay with us for all the build-up, as well as live coverage throughout.

To watch the BBC's programme, just click on the play icon at the top of this page.