Today The King led members of the Royal Family in the Order of the Thistle procession, installing his wife and brother to the order as part of royal week in Scotland.
The Prince of Wales (known as The Duke of Rothesay north of the border) and The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh took part in the Thistle procession; Sophie was present to support her husband.
The Order of the Thistle service is held every two years and is usually attended by all its Knights and Ladies in St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh. The Order includes 16 Knights and Ladies, Scottish men and women who have held public office or who have contributed to the nation’s life, plus members of the Royal Family.
The only Order more senior than the Thistle is that of the Order of the Garter , which is the national order of England. The annual ceremony was held at Windsor in June.
Upon their arrival at the cathedral, The King and Queen received a royal salute from the Guard of Honour, formed by the King’s Body Guard for Scotland, and the Band played the National Anthem.
Charles and Camilla were then greeted by the Interim Moderator of St Giles’ Cathedral, the Chancellor of the Order of the Thistle, the Dean of the Order of the Thistle, and the Secretary of the Order of the Thistle.
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The Service saw the Royals dressed in their striking green velvet robes, insignia and white-feathered hats, giving thanks for the group and installing new members.
There is then a procession which begins in the Signet Library in Edinburgh Town Centre, while in Parliament Square the collection the Guard of Honour with the Colours (flags) of the Royal Company takes place, accompanied by the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
@crownchronicles A peel inside the Thistle Chapel in #stgilescathedral #Edinburgh #orderofthethistle #royalfamily #royaltok #crownchronicles #royal #history #architecture ♬ To Edinburgh – Ian Post
This year, there were a number of new installations to the Order following their appointments:
– Queen Camilla, appointed to the Order 16th June, 2023. She previously wore the robes of the Order to the Thistle for the Presentation of the Honours of Scotland which took place during 2023’s Holyrood Week to mark the Coronation.
– The Duke of Edinburgh, whose appointment to the Order earlier this year coincided with his 60th birthday.
– Baroness Black of Strome, a Scottish forensic anthropologist, anatomist and academic, who served as Professor of Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology at the University of Dundee 2011-2018.
– Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws, a Scottish barrister, broadcaster, and Labour member of the House of Lords.
– Sir Geoff Palmer, a professor emeritus in the School of Life Sciences at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, and a human rights activist.
Charles, Camilla, William and Edward on their Thistle robes. (Royal Family)
The King was appointed Knight of the Order in February 1977, but became Sovereign of the Order upon his accession in 2022. The Prince of Wales joined the Order in July 2012.
