King Charles and Queen Camilla attend Windrush reception

Buckingham Palace announced today that King Charles had appointed the Queen to the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle. This means that Queen Camilla now holds Scotland’s highest royal honour. The title – the Order of the Thistle – can only be bestowed by the King himself.

The announcement was made ahead of Charles’ birthday honours which will be revealed on Friday night.

It also coincides with Charles spending his first official period in Scotland as head of state, known as Holyrood Week.

Queen Elizabeth II was the last holder of the honour which was revived by King James VII in 1687.

In 1987, the Queen decided that ladies should also be eligible for the Thistle in the same way as men.

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It currently recognises 16 knights as well as men and women who have held public office or who have given a particular contribution to national life.

Other Royal Knights include Prince William and Princess Anne as well as various members of the aristocracy and House of Lords.

This includes Lady Elish Angiolini and the former presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament Sir George Reid.

St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, which hosts the Order of the Thistle service, says the honour is “traditionally given to Scots or people of Scots ancestry”.

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The Palace highlighted the Queen’s role in Scotland over the years, including being appointed Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen in 2013.

In a speech this year, marking her ten years in the position, Camilla said: “Coming to this University, and to this city, has always felt a bit like coming home to me.

“Firstly, because my Father’s family came from this part of Scotland.

“Secondly, because my husband and I are lucky enough to spend precious time each year in Aberdeenshire.

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“And finally, because ten years ago, I received the great honour of being installed as Chancellor of this very special University.”

Camilla is also patron or president of a number of charities based in Scotland, including Crathie Opportunity Holidays, Scotland’s Gardens Scheme and Horseback UK.

She is an honorary member of the local Ballater Women’s Institute and the Upper Deeside Art Society.

Earlier this week, Camilla chose a 10-year-old Shire mare named Juno to lead the mounted cavalry at the King’s Birthday Parade on the weekend.

Juno will be part of the royal procession which will feature 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians.

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