The Duke of Cambridge is appointed Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle by The Queen

29th May 2012

The Queen has been pleased to appoint The Duke of Cambridge, The Earl of Strathearn, to be a Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle. 

Background: 

Appointments to the Order of the Thistle are entirely in the personal gift of The Queen and are not made on the advice of the Prime Minister, as are most other Honours. 

The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle represents the highest honour in Scotland. Revived by King James VII, the Order has a complement of 16 Knights (KT). In 1987, The Queen decided that ladies should be eligible for the Thistle in the same way as men. 

The Motto of the Order is Nemo Me Impune Lacessit (No one provokes me with impunity). 

A list of the current holders of the Order is as follows: 


ROYAL KNIGHTS OF THE THISTLE 

Her Majesty The Queen 
His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, K.G., K.T., O.M., G.B.E., A.C., Q.S.O. 
His Royal Highness The Duke of Rothesay, K.G., K.T., G.C.B., O.M., A.K., Q.S.O., A.D.C. 
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, K.G., K.T., G.C.V.O., C.B., A.D.C. 

KNIGHTS AND LADY OF THE THISTLE 

The Earl of Airlie K.T., G.C.V.O. (Chancellor of the Order of the Thistle) 
The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, K.T., C.D. 
The Viscount of Arbuthnott, K.T., C.B.E., D.S.C., 
The Earl of Crawford and Balcarres, K.T., G.C.V.O. 
Lady Marion Fraser, L.T. 
The Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden, K.T. 
The Lord Mackay of Clashfern, K.T. 
The Lord Wilson of Tillyorn, K.T, G.C.M.G. 
The Lord Sutherland of Houndwood, K.T 
Sir Eric Anderson, K.T. 
The Lord Steel of Aikwood, K.T., K.B.E., 
The Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, K.T., G.C.M.G. 
The Lord Cullen of Whitekirk, K.T. 
Sir Garth Morrison, K.T., C.B.E. 
The Lord Hope of Craighead, K.T. 
The Lord Patel, K.T. 

(16 Members) 

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: Events

28th May 2012

The Central Weekend to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee takes place from Saturday 2nd June to Tuesday 5th June 2012, with celebratory activities throughout the UK and across the Commonwealth.

Listed below are the events of the weekend that will be attended by The Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

Saturday 2 June, 2012

The Queen will attend the Epsom Derby.

Sunday 3 June, 2012

The Big Jubilee Lunch: Building on the already popular Big Lunch initiative, people will be encouraged to share lunch with neighbours and friends as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. This may take the form of a traditional street party or a picnic lunch in small or larger groups. This event is being organised by the Big Lunch. Find out more.

The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant: This event will take place on the Thames and consist of up to 1,000 boats assembled from across the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will travel in the Royal Barge which will form the centrepiece of the flotilla. Find out more.

Approximate timings are as follows:

14:30BST – The Queen embarks the Royal barge, the Spirit of Chartwell, near Albert Bridge 

16:15BST – The Royal Barge comes alongside HMS President (Royal Naval Reserve Unit), near Tower Bridge

Monday 4 June, 2012

BBC Concert at Buckingham Palace: There will be a televised Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace with tickets being available to UK residents by public ballot. The musical programme for the concert is still being planned and is expected to feature British and Commonwealth musicians. Details on how to apply for the concert will be available in due course. This event is being organised by the BBC. Find out more.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Beacons: A network of 2,012 Beacons will be lit by communities and individuals throughout the United Kingdom, as well as the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Commonwealth. As in 2002, The Queen will light the National Beacon. Find out more.

Approximate timings are as follows:

19:30BST – Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace begins

After 22:30BST – The Queen lights the National Beacon outside Buckingham Palace

Tuesday 5 June, 2012

On Tuesday 5 June, the Diamond Jubilee weekend will culminate with a day of celebrations in central London, including a service at St Paul’s Cathedral followed by two receptions, a lunch at Westminster Hall, a Carriage Procession to Buckingham Palace and finally a Balcony appearance, Flypast, and Feu de Joie. Find out more.

Approximate timings are as follows:

10:15BST – The Queen leaves Buckingham Palace by car

10:30-11.30BST – Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s 

12.30BST – The Queen travels by car from Mansion House to the Palace of Westminster

14:20BST – Carriage Procession from Westminster Hall to Buckingham Palace commences

Approximately 15:25BST – Royal Family appear on the Balcony at Buckingham Palace