THE King has given Scotland’s highest royal honour to his wife.

Camilla was brought into the “Order of the Thistle” on Friday, ahead of the announcement of the further honours which will be awarded because of Charles’s birthday.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “The King has been graciously pleased to appoint the Queen to the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle.”

The royal website says that the honour “recognises Scottish men and women who have held public office or who have contributed in a particular way to national life”.

It adds: “The Order is second only in precedence in England to the Order of the Garter.”


READ MORE: What is the 'Order of the Thistle' and why is King Charles giving it to Camilla?


Appointments to the order are made entirely at the whim of the King.

The Order of the Thistle dates back to 1687, when it was founded by King James VII.

William, the “Prince of Wales” and “Duke of Rothesay”, is also in the order, as is Princess Anne.

There are various other peers and members of the aristocracy in the order, such as Richard Scott, the “Duke of Buccleuch”, and David Ogilvy, the “Earl of Airlie”.

Other names in the order include SNP politician and former Holyrood presiding officer George Reid and Elish Angiolini, the former lord advocate of Scotland.