Prince William has been installed as a Knight of the Thistle and therefore the Duke of Cambridge attends the Thistle Service at St Giles’ Cathedral.

The Duke of Cambridge, whose official title in Scotland is Earl of Strathearn, was granted this highest honour of Scotland by the Queen at a special ceremony at St Giles Cathedral. The Duke of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and Kate, the Countess of Strathearn accompanied the queen.

The large crowd that gathered outside the Cathedral to have a look at the Prince and Kate, could see both. Kate was wearing an Emilia Wickstead golden yellow coat dress.

Patrick Hagen, an American tourist from Baltimore reported to Sky News, “The history and the pageantry in this country is just incredible. To see the Queen, Prince William and Kate is just amazing. We love it. Kate looked so beautiful.”

Eileen Pierce, a visitor from Edinburgh exclaimed, “With all the talk of independence here in Scotland it’s just really nice to see all the Royal family here and to see royal tradition being played out for all to see.” She added, “The Queen looked lovely and really happy.”

After the ceremony, the Queen became the guest of the Knights of the Thistle and had lunch hosted by him at the Signet Library. 400 pipers marched in a parade down the Royal Mile to the Scottish Parliament to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The ancient Order of the Thistle is second only in precedence in the UK to the Order of the Garter and can only be given by the Queen.

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