Best of order

Published on 07/07/2012 15:50

The Capital was a scene of royal pageantry this week as the Queen welcomed her grandson Prince William to the Order of the Thistle.

The spectacular event that saw 
pipers and dancers parade up the Royal Mile, and a host of royals and dignitaries in attendance for the ceremony itself, is actually one which has been held many times before in Edinburgh, which is home to the ancient Thistle Chapel at St Giles’ Cathedral.

In 1977, both the Queen and the Queen Mother took part in the Order of the Thistle ceremony, when the royal family visited Edinburgh as part of the monarch’s Silver Jubilee.

Prince Charles was also in attendance for a ceremony which saw several members inducted into the ancient order to bring it back to its full compliment of 16.

And, as they did this week, thousands lined the streets to catch a glimpse as the royals made their way to and from the chapel.

There had been similar scenes just a few years earlier when the Queen, the