Jordan Royals Visit the Tattoo
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will live up to its new honorific on Wednesday 18th August when King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan become the first Middle Eastern monarchs ever to attend the parade. The royal couple announced their visit on Tuesday, and provisions were quickly made to find space for them in what has been yet another sell-out year for the event. Tattoo producer Major General Euan Loudon was pleased to accommodate the unexpected arrivals, saying: "It is an honour to welcome the King and Queen of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the Tattoo where I look forward to presenting the performers."
For the rest of their time in the capital, the King and Queen will meet with prominent local figures and Tattoo organisers, including the Lord Provost, George Grubb, the Governor of Edinburgh Castle, Major General David Shaw and Major General Loudon.
The running order of the Tattoo will be slightly different as a result of the royals’ presence. During the proceedings, they will be given a special salute by the Royal Jordanian Armed Forces Contingent. This is the first time Jordan has been represented in the Tattoo since 1964, and the delegation’s performances have been particularly well-received by audiences so far. The visit of the sovereign is a deserved reflection of the achievements and dedication of these musicians. The 77-strong group includes members of the King’s personal honour guard as well as a full pipe band.
The Jordanian party is one of a host of international groups that have graced the Tattoo this year. The military showcase has demonstrated its unwavering popularity once again, with all 217 000 tickets being sold well in advance.
