King Charles and Prince William took centre stage in Edinburgh at the annual Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral during Royal Week.
The centuries-old ceremony saw the King also joined by Queen Camilla and the Duke of Edinburgh, with the senior royals processing through parts of the Scottish capital in one of the monarchy’s most striking displays of pageantry.
Prince William, who became a Royal Knight of the Order in 2012, took his place alongside fellow members wearing the distinctive deep green velvet mantle and dramatic black velvet hat topped with sweeping white ostrich feathers.
Today’s ceremony brought together several royal members of the Order. King Charles serves as Sovereign of the Order, while Queen Camilla was installed in 2024 alongside the Duke of Edinburgh. Prince William has represented the next generation of the monarchy within the ancient order since his appointment by Queen Elizabeth II.
In 2022, Prince William became Duke of Rothesay, the title that automatically goes to the heir to the Scottish throne. In England, the heir was always the Duke of Cornwall, another title that William instantly acquired when he became first in line. On September 9 2022, just 24 hours into his reign, King Charles also created his elder son the Prince of Wales, the title traditionally given to the heir to the throne.
The rich green mantle is one of the defining features of the Order. Lined with silk and fastened with green and gold cords, it bears the silver star of the Order embroidered on the left shoulder. Members also wear an elaborate gold collar decorated with thistles from which hangs the badge of St Andrew, Scotland’s patron saint. The ceremonial dress is reserved for the Order’s most significant occasions.
The Order of the Thistle is Scotland’s highest order of chivalry and second only to the Order of the Garter in the UK’s honours system. Although its origins are wrapped in legend, the modern Order was formally revived by King James VII of Scotland in 1687. Membership is limited to the Sovereign, 16 Knights and Ladies, together with a small number of Royal Knights and Ladies. Unlike most honours, appointments are made personally by the monarch in recognition of exceptional service to Scotland and are not made on ministerial advice.
The annual service has been held at St Giles’ Cathedral since the Thistle Chapel was completed in 1911 and remains one of the highlights of Holyrood Week. Members process from the nearby Signet Library before gathering in the cathedral for a service celebrating Scotland’s most prestigious order of chivalry.
Today’s ceremony brought together many of the Order’s royal members. King Charles serves as Sovereign of the Order, while Queen Camilla was installed in 2024 alongside the Duke of Edinburgh. The Princess Royal has been a member since 2000 and Prince William has represented the next generation of the monarchy within the ancient order since his appointment by Queen Elizabeth II.
The appearance marks another busy week for the Royal Family in Scotland. Just days ago, the Princess of Wales completed the National Three Peaks Challenge in aid of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Catherine began the challenge by climbing Ben Nevis before continuing to Scafell Pike and finishing on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), raising funds for the specialist cancer hospital where she received treatment. Although she was not among those attending today’s Thistle service, her latest challenge has kept Scotland firmly on the royal agenda.
Royal Week, known officially as Holyrood Week, remains one of the most important fixtures in the royal calendar, celebrating Scottish communities, culture and public service.
