Prince William carried out royal duties in Scotland on Tuesday, July 1, a date that would have marked the 65th birthday of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
The Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland, attended the annual Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh. He was dressed in the traditional deep green velvet robes and a black hat adorned with white ostrich feathers, joining other senior members of the Royal Family for the historic ceremony.
William arrived alongside his uncle, Prince Edward, ahead of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The King and Queen were greeted with a Royal Salute by The King’s Body Guard for Scotland, also known as the Royal Company of Archers, before the national anthem, God Save the King, was played.
Outside the cathedral, a small group of anti-monarchy protesters staged a demonstration, holding placards reading “What Did You Know?” while chanting, “Not my King.”
The Order of the Thistle is Scotland’s highest order of chivalry and honours individuals who have made outstanding contributions to national life. Membership is limited to 16 Knights and Ladies, with King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince Edward, Anne, Princess Royal and Prince William among its current members.
The order was opened to women in 1987 by the late Queen Elizabeth II, expanding its centuries-old tradition.
The annual ceremony is Scotland’s equivalent of the Order of the Garter service held each June at Windsor. This year’s event held added poignancy as it coincided with what would have been Princess Diana’s 65th birthday. Diana died in 1997 following a car crash in Paris at the age of 36, and she remains one of the most beloved figures in modern royal history.
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