Queen Camilla and Edward receive major honour from King Charles that few royals get
Queen Camilla and Prince Edward have received a major honour in Scotland today.
Queen Camilla and the Duke of Edinburgh have received a major honour from King Charles today, as members of the Royal Family arrived at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh for the Order of the Thistle service.
The Queen and Edward became members of Order of the Thistle - Scotland's greatest order of chivalry on Day two of Holyrood week.
Each year the monarch traditionally spends a week based at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, known as Holyrood Week or Royal Week. This year events have been scaled down due to Thursday's General Election.
In a private ceremony today, Camilla and Edward, who were appointed Royal Knights of the Order by the King, were formally installed as Lady of the Thistle and Royal Knight of the Thistle respectively.
Also appointed to the Order was forensic anthropologist Baroness Sue Black, lawyer Baroness Helena Kennedy and Scotland's first black professor Sir Geoff Palmer.
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Charles began the ceremony by telling his wife: "It is our pleasure Her Majesty the Queen be installed a Lady of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle."
The King and Queen arrived at St Giles Cathedral around 11 am and received a royal salute from the Guard of Honour, while the Band played the National Anthem.
Their Majesties were 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.
The Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, was also in attendance at today's ceremony.
Charles is the sovereign of the Order and appointments are his personal gift made independently of Downing Street to those who have public office or have contributed significantly to national life.
Camilla is patron of Maggie's Cancer Care Centres, founded in Edinburgh in 1996, while she is also patron or president of a number of charities based in Scotland and is an honorary member of the local Ballater Women's Institute and the Upper Deeside Art Society.
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Edward holds several patronages of Scottish charitable organisations including the Edinburgh International Festival.
Later, the couple attended an event marking the start of celebrations commemorating the 900th anniversary of the Edinburgh Castle.
The very best of the city was on display with performances from Dance Base, Scotland's National Centre for Dance, while author Sir Alexander McCall Smith performed a short poem and the King and Queen spoke to local Edinburgh organisations at various displays, showcasing innovation, food, design, and charity.