Knight of the Thistle

Knight of the Thistle. The Order of the Thistle is one of the highest orders of chivalry in the United Kingdom, with the Sovereign serving as its Grand Master. The order is associated with Scotland and has strong ties to the Church of Scotland and the University of St Andrews. The Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales have both been inducted into the order, along with other notable figures such as Winston Churchill and Field Marshal Douglas Haig.

● History of

the Order The Order of the Thistle was founded in 1687 by James VII of Scotland, with the aim of reviving the Order of Saint Andrew, which had been dormant since the Reformation. The order was initially composed of the Sovereign and twelve knights, with John Graham of Claverhouse being one of the first inductees. Over the years, the order has been associated with various notable figures, including Robert the Bruce, Mary, Queen of Scots, and Prince Charles Edward Stuart. The order has also been involved in various historical events, such as the Battle of Culloden and the Jacobite rising of 1745. Other notable individuals who have been inducted into the order include Alexander Fleming, Rudyard Kipling, and Duke of Wellington.

● Insignia and Regalia

The insignia of the Order of the Thistle includes the Thistle, which is the national emblem of Scotland, and the Cross of Saint Andrew, which is a symbol of Scottish Presbyterianism. The knights of the order wear a green mantle with a thistle emblem on the left shoulder, along with a collar composed of thistles and rue. The Grand Master of the order wears a crown adorned with thistles and precious stones, such as diamonds and rubies. The order's insignia is also featured on various objects, such as the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Royal Standard of Scotland. Other notable objects that feature the order's insignia include the Sword of State and the Crown of Saint Wenceslas.

● Eligibility and Appointment

To be eligible for appointment as a Knight of the Thistle, an individual must be a British citizen and have made significant contributions to the United Kingdom or Scotland. The Sovereign serves as the Grand Master of the order and is responsible for appointing new knights, with the advice of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the First Minister of Scotland. The order is typically limited to sixteen knights at any given time, although there have been exceptions, such as during the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Other notable individuals who have been appointed to the order include Nelson Mandela, Pope John Paul II, and Ronald Reagan.

● Current Knights of

the Thistle The current Knights of the Thistle include the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, and the Duke of York, as well as other notable figures such as Lord Steel of Aikwood and Sir Eric Anderson. The order also includes several honorary knights, such as King Harald V of Norway and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. Other notable individuals who are currently members of the order include David Ogilvy, 13th Earl of Airlie and George Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen. The order has also been associated with various other notable individuals, including Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

● Precedence and Privileges

As a Knight of the Thistle, an individual is entitled to various privileges and precedence, including the use of the post-nominal letters "KT" and the right to be addressed as "Sir" or "Lady". The knights of the order also have precedence over other orders of chivalry, such as the Order of the Garter and the Order of the Bath. The order's knights are also entitled to attend various ceremonies and events, such as the Annual Service of the Order of the Thistle and the Ceremony of the Keys. Other notable events that the order's knights are entitled to attend include the State Opening of Parliament and the Trooping the Colour.

● Installation and Ceremonies

The installation of a new Knight of the Thistle typically takes place at Edinburgh Castle, with the Sovereign serving as the Grand Master of the order. The ceremony involves the presentation of the insignia and regalia of the order, as well as the taking of an oath of allegiance to the Sovereign. The order also holds an annual service at St Giles' Cathedral, which is attended by the knights and other notable figures, such as the Archbishop of York and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Other notable ceremonies that the order is involved in include the Ceremony of the Thistle and the Service of the Order of the Thistle. The order has also been associated with various other notable events, including the Coronation of King Charles III and the State Visit of the President of the United States.