Royal Court

Gala day for Court children includes:

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!

Eligibility

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 (Do not include previous years if you moved away and returned.)
State date of grandparents current residency (Only applicable if the applying child’s parent(s) never moved away.)
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

Ready to Apply?

Please ensure you have looked over the family commitments section.

Apply Now

Court family Commitments

It's a family affair

Court families are asked to help with the Gala Quiz in February/March, with Gala Week activities and other possible fundraisers such as a stall at the Christmas Lights, to assist with Setup and Breakdown for Gala day, and to help for 1 to 2 hours during the Gala itself. Please read on to learn more.

Plan to attend to the following:

Court Welcome Meeting

Thur, 16th January 2025, 7:00 - 9:00 pm - D'Mains Parish Church, Sycamore Cafe

Gala Quiz Night

Sat, 1st March 2025 - D'Mains Primary School Hall

Professional photo shoot for the Court children

Fri, 14th March 2025, 2:00 pm - D'Mains Primary School, Rowan Building

Court Rehearsals for 2025

Children only, parents not required. Davidson's Mains Primary School (Classroom TBC, likely the Rowen Building)

Thurs, 15 May, 3:30 - 4:15 pm
Thurs, 22 May, 3:30 - 4:15 pm
Thurs, 29 May, 3:30 - 4:15 pm
Thurs, 5 June, 3:30 - 4:15 pm
Thurs, 12 June, 3:30 - 4:15 pm
Thurs, 19 June, 3:30 - 4:15 pm

Stage Rehearsal at Lauriston Castle

Fri, 20th June 2025, 4:00 pm

Gala Week Events (days, times TBC) (optional)

Mon, 16 June - Football Tournament
Tue, 17 June - Football Tournament
Wed, 18 June - Possible Scrufts Dog Show or other Gala event

Gala Prep Day, 20th June 2025

1:00 - 5:00 pm - Event setup at Lauriston Castle | Volunteer Sign Up

Gala Day, 21st June 2025

8:00 - 11:00 am Final Set Up
10:00 - 11:00 (TBC) Court children collected from their houses, photos taken at Silverknowes Promenade.
11:30 Court children driven in the parade and onto Laurison Castle
12 noon (approx) Royal Proclamation ceremony delivered by Court children on stage at the Gala.
12: 00 - 4:00 pm Gala takes place. Court families expected to volunteers for jobs for part the day.
4:00 - 6:00 pm Break Down and Tidy Up
Volunteer Sign Up

Day After, 22nd June 2025

10:00 am - 12:00 pm - make the grounds good at Lauriston Castle, fill divets in grass, pick up litter, etc. Pick up up litter along the parade route.

Other

General preparations - such as arranging food for the Queens Tent, putting up bunting, collection of Tombola donations, etc.
String bunting on your home for Gala week (bunting provided by the Gala Committe)
Sign up for volunteer jobs. | Volunteer Sign Up

Royal Court

Gala day for Court children includes:

Eligibility

Ready to Apply?

Gala Court Eligibility Map

Who is eligible?

Court family Commitments

It's a family affair

Plan to attend to the following:

Gala Court

Ready to Apply?

Royal Court

Gala day for Court children includes:

Eligibility

Ready to Apply?

Gala Court Eligibility Map

Who is eligible?

Court family Commitments

It's a family affair

Plan to attend to the following:

Gala Court

Ready to Apply?

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