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.
King Charles III 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
Queen Camilla at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
Heralds and Pursuivants of the Court of Lord Lyon, King of Arms at the service in Edinburgh
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
Members of the Royal Company of Archers ahead of the Order of the Thistle service today
King Charles III at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
Members of the Royal Company of Archers ahead of the Order of the Thistle service today
King Charles III at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
The Duchess of Edinburgh attends the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral today
Prince William and the Duke of Edinburgh leave after the Order of the Thistle service today
Afterwards, the King and Queen greeted the interim moderator of St Giles’ Cathedral as well as the chancellor, dean and secretary of the Order of the Thistle.
Edward was chosen to mark his 60th birthday and as recognition for his commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh award and National Youth Orchestras of Scotland.
Later today, the King and Queen will attend an event marking the start of celebrations commemorating the 900th anniversary of the Edinburgh Castle.
There will be performances from Dance Base, Scotland’s National Centre for Dance, and author Sir Alexander McCall Smith will perform a short poem.
The King and Queen will also speak to local Edinburgh organisations at various displays, showcasing innovation, food, design and charity.
The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland ahead of the Order of the Thistle service today
King Charles III at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
Members of the Royal Company of Archers ahead of the Order of the Thistle service today
Scotland’s first black professor Sir Geoff Palmer arrives and is being appointed to the order
King Charles III 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
Prince Edward at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
King Charles at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
Alastair Bruce of Crionaich speaks with those outside St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
The Duchess of Edinburgh at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral today
Royal Company of Archers gather ahead of the Order of the Thistle Service in Edinburgh today
The Duchess of Edinburgh attends 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 Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh at the Order of the Thistle service in Edinburgh today
(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
Prince William at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
Members of the Royal Company of Archers ahead of the Order of the Thistle service today
Prince William at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
Anti-royal protesters are watched by police outside St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
Prince William at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
Scenes outside St Giles’ Cathedral this morning ahead of the Order of the Thistle service
The choir singing 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
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh at the Order of the Thistle service in Edinburgh today
Onlookers outside St Giles’ Cathedral as the Order of the Thistle service takes place today
Royal Company of Archers gather ahead of the Order of the Thistle service in Edinburgh today
The Duchess of Edinburgh attends the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral today
Queen Camilla 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
Royal Company of Archers gather ahead of the Order of the Thistle Service in Edinburgh today
The Duchess of Edinburgh at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral today
Queen Camilla at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
Scenes outside St Giles’ Cathedral this morning ahead of the Order of the Thistle service
The Duchess of Edinburgh attends 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
Royal Company of Archers gather ahead of the Order of the Thistle Service in Edinburgh today
It comes after the King joked about his school’s poor performance on the cricket pitch when he hosted a garden party at his official Scottish residence.
Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed about 8,000 visitors to the Palace of Holyrood House yesterday during the first day of their official stay in Edinburgh, known as Holyrood Week, and were joined at the social event by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
At the start of the garden party, the King and his wife were introduced to the first female members of the palace’s High Constables, its ceremonial police force, who were appointed last November and were helping guests at their first garden party.
When Charles met Jacqueline and Trevor Hills from Nairn, a seaside resort in the Scottish Highlands, the talk quickly turned to the sound of leather on willow – as cricket is known to fans.
King Charles III at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
Members of the Royal Company of Archers ahead of the Order of the Thistle service today
The Duchess of Edinburgh attends the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral today
The order of service for the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral this morning
Royal Company of Archers gather ahead of the Order of the Thistle Service in Edinburgh today
Queen Camilla 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 and King Charles III arrive for the Order of the Thistle service this morning
Royal Company of Archers gather ahead of the Order of the Thistle Service in Edinburgh today
The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland ahead of the Order of the Thistle service today
Queen Camilla at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
Members of the Royal Company of Archers ahead of the Order of the Thistle service today
King Charles III at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
Scenes outside St Giles’ Cathedral this morning ahead of the Order of the Thistle service
Prince William at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
Royal Company of Archers gather ahead of the Order of the Thistle Service in Edinburgh today
Anti-royal protesters are watched by police outside St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland ahead of the Order of the Thistle service today
King Charles III at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
Scenes outside St Giles’ Cathedral this morning ahead of the Order of the Thistle service
Prince William 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
Queen Camilla at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral 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
Prince William at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
Scenes outside St Giles’ Cathedral this morning ahead of the Order of the Thistle service
The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland ahead of the Order of the Thistle service today
King Charles III at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral 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
Scenes outside St Giles’ Cathedral this morning ahead of the Order of the Thistle service
Royal Company of Archers gather ahead of the Order of the Thistle Service in Edinburgh today
Prince William at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
Royal Company of Archers gather ahead of the Order of the Thistle Service in Edinburgh today
Prince William at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
Scenes outside St Giles’ Cathedral this morning ahead of the Order of the Thistle service
Royal Company of Archers gather ahead of the Order of the Thistle Service in Edinburgh today
Prince William at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
