King Charles III and Queen Camilla.Photo:Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Queen Camillahas a new royal role just in time for thecoronation celebrationsin Scotland!
On Friday, Buckingham Palace announced thatKing Charlesappointed his wife to the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, the highest order of chivalry in Scotland.
The order recognizes 16 Knights and Ladies for their contribution to national life, and appointments are awarded as a personal gift from the reigning monarch. King Charles, 74,Princess AnneandPrince Williamare all members, and induction comes with quite the regal outfit. Members wear traditional dark green robes and black velvet hats with white ostrich feathers for ceremonial duties, which Charles and Anne most recently sported for aninstallationat St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh last year.
Prince Charles, Princess Anne.Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Camilla’s appointment is effective immediately, and Buckingham Palaceshared moreabout her ongoing work in Scotland. The Queen, 75, has served as Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen since 2013 andvisited the collegein January.
Before Charles’ accession, she served as Patron of Maggie’s Cancer Care Centres and visited the hubs across Scotland. Queen Camilla has also acted as patron or president for national charities like Crathie Opportunity Holidays, Scotland’s Gardens Scheme and Horseback UK, and highlighted the important work of organizations including South Ayrshire Women’s Aid and Target Ovarian Cancer.
Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage
That change came in September, when the palace announced Queen Elizabeth died “peacefully” at age 96 on Sept. 8, hours after her doctors announced they were “concerned” for her health. Though Charles immediately succeeded as King, his coronation was not held until May 6.
One month after thehistoric serviceat Westminster Abbey, the Scottish government announced that asecond celebrationwill be held in Edinburgh on July 5 in honor of the crowning — with a distinctly Scottish spin! The King and Queen will be fêted with special processions and a church service during Scotland’s Royal Week, andPrince WilliamandKate Middleton— a.k.a. the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, as they are called in Scotland! — will also be in attendance.
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Camilla’s appointment to the Order of the Thistle comes on the eve ofTrooping the Colour, the first birthday parade held for King Charles in London. She isn’t the only member of the royal family to receive a new honor this week, however!
On Thursday,Sophie,Duchess of Edinburgh, was invested as a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St John, formalizing a promotion from Queen Elizabeth last year.
The Duchess of Edinburgh, 58, has served as president of St John Ambulance England, a charity teaching first aid and other lifesaving skills, since 2004.
source: people.com
