King Charles and Queen Camilla stand proud in new portrait following Thistle Service in Edinburgh with Prince William and Prince Edward on either side
The British royal family have released a new portrait following the Thistle Service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today.
The service celebrated Scotland’s highest honour of chivalry and made Camilla, 76, and Prince Edward, 60, members of the Order of the Thistle.
The King and Queen stand proud in the centre of the portrait, with the Prince of Wales, 42, and the Duke of Edinburgh on either side.
Camilla and Edward were appointed Royal Knights of the Order by the King during a private ceremony, with fellow member Prince William also present.
The Royal Family shared the portrait on Instagram, with the writing: ‘The King and Queen with The Prince of Wales (known as The Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland) and The Duke of Edinburgh following the Thistle Service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today.’
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King Charles (centre left), Queen Camilla (centre right), the Prince of Wales (left) and Duke of Edinburgh (right) stood for a new portrait following the Thistle Service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh
King Charles and Prince William share look of pride 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.
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.
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.
Sir Geoff became Scotland’s first black professor in 1989 and has served as chancellor of Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh since 2021.
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(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
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The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh appeared in high spirits at the Order of the Thistle service in Edinburgh today
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Queen Camilla and King Charles III are seen arriving for the Order of the Thistle service this morning
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King Charles III and Queen Camilla are pictured inside St Giles’ Cathedral for the Order of the Thistle service this morning
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The Duchess of Edinburgh cut an elegant figure in a light pink dress with a matching wide-brimmed hat
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.
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.
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.
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William and Edward at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
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The Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh this morning
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Queen Camilla looked cheerful at the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh today
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Heralds and Pursuivants of the Court of Lord Lyon, King of Arms at the service in 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.
Mr Hills, whose wife was invited to the social event for her role as Nairn’s registrar, said: ‘Charles said when he was at Gordonstoun he played cricket against a team from Nairn.
‘I was debating whether to ask the score when he said his school lost. But he did have the highest score – although he said it wasn’t very much.
Commenting on the King, who has been receiving treatment for cancer, he added: ‘Charles looks every well considering what he’s been through and it was lovely meeting him.’
The new palace constables were Victoria Webber, 42, a breast surgeon; and Belinda Hacking, 52, a psychologist, who said they applied for the posts after hearing about them and sent in their CVs as requested and had a short interview.
Ms Hacking said: ‘It’s a ceremonial role we’re here to help guests if they’re lost but the public are quite curious about what we do.’
The two constables carried batons like their other male colleagues but the wooden symbols of office were for display and not to keep the crowds in order.
The four members of the royal family separately toured the garden party meeting a large number of guests and despite grey clouds that threatened rain only a few spots fell.
Earlier, Charles began his official stay in Scotland by receiving the keys to the City of Edinburgh, which is celebrating its 900th anniversary.
He was welcomed by the Lord Provost, City of Edinburgh councillor Robert Aldridge, who presented the keys on a red velvet cushion which Charles symbolically touched.
The King gave the traditional statement after his gesture: ‘I return these keys perfectly convinced that they cannot be placed in better hands than those of the Lord Provost and councillors of my good City of Edinburgh.’
