Queen to Mark Papal Gift to Scotland

The Queen will officially mark the 500th anniversary this week of the gift to Scotland of the Sword of State, which forms part of the Honours of Scotland - the Scottish Crown Jewels.

The anniversary will be celebrated at a reception to be held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh where the Queen will be joined by both of Scotland's Catholic Archbishops and other Catholic representatives.

Mgr Charles Burns OBE, a retired Scottish priest who is Ecclesiastical Advisor at the British Embassy to the Holy See and an authority on the Sword, will also travel from Rome to attend the event.

The Sword of State was presented to King James IV by Pope Julius II in 1507.

The reception will be attended by the President of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, Cardinal Keith O'Brien and the Vice President of the Conference, Archbishop Mario Conti, who is also President of the Bishops' Conference Heritage Commission.

Cardinal O'Brien said: "I am delighted that the gift of the Sword of State is being marked by the Queen while she is in Scotland. I look forward to attending the reception as well as a further event which will take place in Edinburgh Castle during November to mark the anniversary of the gift."