In 1603, the Union of the Crowns saw James VI inherit the English and Irish thrones; ruling these kingdoms as King James I. The king promptly moved his court to London, and Heriot – along with much of the court – followed suit. His loyalty was rewarded, and in November he was appointed a jeweller to the king, on a salary of £150. This sinecure was a small amount in comparison to his private business, which by 1609 saw him with loans to Queen Anne of £18,000, from which he drew a sizeable interest.