IT'S never advisable to promise sunshine and a guaranteed historic Abbey setting for the memorable Crowning ceremony.

But the words of Melrose Festival chairman Douglas Hardie did come true on Thursday as his town's Principals basked beneath glorious blue skies for the magical Installation and Crowning Ceremonies.

Melrose, like all of the other Borders Festivals so far this summer, has been dodging the showers and storms.

Several of the young Queen's Court had expressed concerns in the run-up that the historic ceremony may be forced indoors.

But they were comforted by the promises of Mr Hardie.

Chairman Douglas said: "Guaranteeing good weather and the ceremony being held here in the Abbey was maybe not my wisest move.

"But thankfully the sun has shone and we've experienced yet another glorious ceremony here in our beautiful Abbey."

The 12th century Abbey yet again provided the epic setting for Melrose Festival's crowning moments.

Dozens of Ex-Melrosians took their place within the North Aisle for the emotional Installation and Crowning Ceremonies.

And hundreds of well-wishers packed into the cloisters area to witness customs and traditions being continued.

Ben Magowan had looked a picture of calm throughout his early Festival week at Melrosian Elect.

And it was with an appreciative smile he took his place on the stage to be Installed as the latest in a long line of Melrosians.

The occasion wasn't lost on the London-based nurse.

He said: "I will be forever grateful for this opportunity to be Melrosian.

"This is an honour that has made me and my family extremely proud."

Undoubtedly all of the Ex-Melrosians sat to Ben's left were casting their minds back to their own Installation.

And, with what has become a customary tradition, two of them who were marking their Jubilees, were honoured further.

Graham Wilson led his town in 1969. The now retired mailman and bar steward is a grandfather of six.

He was followed onto the platform by Gavin Ross. The Dunbar-based policeman was Melrosian in 1994.

Outnumbering the Melrosians somewhat were the Jubilee Queens.

This year's Crowning Lady, Kathleen Ramage (nee Lawrie), was the fifth ever Festival Queen back in 1944 and had already been a Trainbearer in the very first Melrose Festival, was celebrating her Platinum Jubilee.

The grandmother of eight, who lives in Kirkcudbright, still travels back to Melrose each year for the Festival.

Jennifer Logan (nee Smith) was Festival Queen in 1959. The grandmother of six now lives in Edinburgh.

Celebrating her Golden Jubilee on Thursday evening was Evelyn Brown. The grandmother of two now lives in St Boswells.

And completing the Jubilee Queens quartet was London-based artist and designer Deborah Caswell (nee Lyal).

Ahead of the Triumphal Procession through the town, a few words of wisdom were required from this year's Guest, Justin Sinclair.

Mr Sinclair has been headteacher of Earlston High School for four years.

And in his address to the Festival, he couldn't hide his admiration for his adopted homeland or draw comparison with his native Dundee.

Mr Sinclair said: "They say the sun always shines on the righteous and it has this evening.

"In my four years that I've been here, I've grown very fond of Melrose.

"I was brought up in a 1960s grey housing scheme in Dundee, and in many ways it couldn't be more different from here.

"But I was brought up by two very loving parents and I was brought up in a community that offered so much and gave me many opportunities.

"Melrose is a place which similarly offers opportunities to its young people.

"This place you call home is truly special."

While memory lane is a fond destination during Festival week, it was the Principals of this year who took centre stage.

Liva McGillivray was led along the Abbey's North Aisle by her Courtiers and Heralds.

The 11-year-old's smile was never far from her face as her moment on the throne finally arrived.

Attendants Ellie Darlow and Amelie Ireland looked resplendent in their finery.

And Primary 1 Trainbearers Georgia O'Donnell and Grace McGrath defied their age with exquisite grace.

The Herlads, Henry Lynch and Ben Cook, were very much in tune with their trumpets.

And Matthew Westbury was word-perfect as the Proclamation Courtier, while Thomas Young triumphed in his duties as Crown and Sceptre Courtier.

To the strains of Here's Tae Melrose, the sun began to set above Gattonside and new memories, many new memories, were formed.