Royal Court

• Their home decorated with bunting
• Kilts, gowns and tiaras!
• A limo ride to the Silverknowes Promenade
• A fun photoshoot at the Silverknowes Promenade
• Joining the Gala parade in a limo or horse and carriage
• Throwing sweeties to the crowd along the parade route from the limo/carriage 
• Participation in the Royal Proclamation on the Gala stage
• VIP access to the Queen's Tent on Gala day where they can leave their belongings, eat, drink and play.
• Being part of a community tradition that has been running for 90+ years!
• A day to remember!

Each year, Primary 7 children from our local community have the chance to apply for a place in the Gala Court.  

Applications Requirements

Applications are open to children in Primary 7 who live within the Davidson's Mains Primary catchment and/or live within Davidson's Mains Parish. See map below.  

Applications open each the Autumn the year before the Gala.  For the application, applying families will need to provide:

• Start date of child’s current residency
• Start date of parents current residency 
• State date of grandparents current residency 
• One to two paragraphs from the applying child stating why they would like to be in the Gala Court.

Court Selection Procedure

6 Children are chosen by length of family residency

• Queen 
• King 
• Maids of Honour x 2
• Courtiers x 2

Another 6 to 10  children are chosen at random by drawing out of a hat.  The final number depends on the number of applications.

* Ladies-in-Waiting x 3 to 5

* Courtiers x 3 to 5

As agreed by vote during the 2025 AGM, the Committee shall have the power to, approve the selection of the Gala Queen, Gala King and Court. The Court shall consist of 7 boys and 7 girls chosen from within the Parish district of Davidson’s Mains and the current school catchment area of Davidson’s Mains Primary School, as defined by the City of Edinburgh Council, on the basis of the Gala Court points system and random drawing. 

• The Gala Court points system provides that each child shall receive 2 points for each full year since the start of their family’s current residency within the boundary areas stated above.  No breaks in residency are allowed.  
• Each child shall then receive 1 point for each full year since the earliest date of their family’s arrival to the area, regardless of breaks. 
• The Gala Queen and King shall be the boy and girl with the highest number of points.  
• A further 2 boys shall be chosen based on second and third highest number of points among the boys.  
• A further 2 girls shall be chosen based on second and third highest number of points among the girls.
•  An additional 4 or more boys and 4 or more girls shall be chosen by random drawing. 
• The ages and numbers of the Court shall be varied at the Committees discretion.