The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh became members of the Order of the Thistle during a service celebrating Scotland’s greatest order of chivalry today.
Camilla and Edward were appointed Royal Knights of the Order by the King and in a private ceremony, also attended by fellow member Prince William, were formally installed during the service being staged at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh also attended but there was no sign of William’s wife the Princess of Wales while her chemotherapy treatment for cancer continues, or Princess Anne who is recovering at home after an incident involving a horse.
The Royal Family were also met with protests, with activists from the anti-monarchy group Republic chanting ‘Not My King’ and holding up banners with the slogan.
King Charles III – who also attended the service today – is the sovereign of the Order and appointments are his personal gift made independently of Downing Street.
(Front row, left to right) The Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Camilla, King Charles III and Prince William at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
King Charles III at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
Prince William at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
Queen Camilla at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh at the Order of the Thistle service in Edinburgh today
Royal Company of Archers gather ahead of the Order of the Thistle Service in Edinburgh today
Queen Camilla and King Charles III arrive for the Order of the Thistle service this morning
The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland ahead of the Order of the Thistle service today
TV broadcaster Jon Snow at the Order of the Thistle Service at St Giles’ Cathedral today
Scenes outside St Giles’ Cathedral this morning ahead of the Order of the Thistle service
St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh is pictured today during the Order of the Thistle service
The Queen is patron of Maggie’s Cancer Care Centres, founded in Edinburgh in 1996 and now with centres across Scotland, England and Wales.
She is also patron or president of a number of charities based in Scotland, including Crathie Opportunity Holidays, Scotland’s Gardens Scheme and Horseback UK, and is an honorary member of the local Ballater Women’s Institute and the Upper Deeside Art Society.
Edward holds several patronages of Scottish charitable organisations including the Edinburgh International Festival.
Also being appointed to the Order was forensic anthropologist Baroness Sue Black, distinguished lawyer Baroness Helena Kennedy and human rights activist Sir Geoff Palmer.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive for the Order of the Thistle service this morning
The Duchess of Edinburgh at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral today
King Charles III at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
The Duchess of Edinburgh at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral today
Queen Camilla and King Charles III arrive for the Order of the Thistle service this morning
Prince William at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
William and Edward at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
The Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh this morning
Queen Camilla and King Charles III arrive for the Order of the Thistle service this morning
The Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh this morning
Queen Camilla and King Charles III arrive for the Order of the Thistle service this morning
The Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh this morning
Sir Geoff became Scotland’s first black professor in 1989 and has served as chancellor of Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh since 2021.
Officially known as The Most and Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, the Order recognises those who have greatly contributed to Scottish life.
There are 16 knights and ladies in the order from industries such as medicine, law, politics, business and academia.
The ceremony always features plenty of pomp and ceremony, with the dress of the Knights including emerald green cloaks and black hats topped with white ostrich feathers.
Upon their arrival, the King and Queen received a Royal Salute given by the Guard of Honour formed by the King’s Bodyguard for Scotland, the Royal Company of Archers.
