King Charles gives Prince Edward Scotland's top honour to mark landmark birthday

King Charles gives Prince Edward Scotland's top honour to mark landmark birthday

Watch: Prince Edward visits National Botanical Gardens in Pretoria

GB News
Hannah Ross

By Hannah Ross


Published: 10/03/2024

- 11:45

Updated: 10/03/2024

- 12:45

Buckingham Palace have released new images of the duke to celebrate his 60th birthday

King Charles has given Prince Edward Scotland's top honour to mark his 60th birthday.

Buckingham Palace also released four new images of the Duke of Edinburgh with his pets to mark the landmark occasion.


One photo shows the duke sitting on a wall in a bright red jumper and tweed waistcoat surrounded by three dogs: Labrador Teal, cocker spaniel Mole and Labrador puppy Teasel.

Another adorable photo shows Prince Edward holding the black Labrador puppy Teasel in both arms at Bagshot Park.

Prince Edward

Prince Edward pictured with his black Labrador puppy to mark his birthday

PA

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are animal lovers and not only share their home with dogs but also a tortoise called Marmite.

Prince Edward once commented on the unusual animal during a video call saying: “we’ve also got a tortoise who basically runs the house!”

The King’s brother and the youngest child of the late Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating his birthday on the same day as Mother’s Day.

King Charles marked the special occasion by appointing his brother to the Order of the Thistle.

Prince Edward

The Duke of Edinburgh sits with Labrador Teal, cocker spaniel Mole and Labrador puppy Teasel

PA

The Order of the Thistle is the highest honour in Scotland and comprises of 16 knights or ladies and the monarch as Sovereign of the Order.

The Royal Family website describes the position as recognising “Scottish men and women who have held public office or who have contributed in a particular way to national life.”

Other royal members of the order include Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales and Princess Anne.

Some famous Scottish figures in the order are SNP politician George Reid and the former lord advocate of Scotland, Elish Angiolini.

Prince Edward

Prince Edward was appointed to the Order of the Thistle to mark his birthday

PA

Although the legend dates back to the year 809AD, according to the Royal Family website it is possible that the order was actually founded by Scots King James III.

The duke is celebrating his birthday following a week of engagements with his wife, Sophie.

During a royal visit to Leeds, the Duchess of Edinburgh made a surprise speech for her “darling” husband of almost 25 years.

During the speech the duke looked tearful and wiped his fingers across the corners of his eyes as his wife spoke affectionately of their marriage.

LATEST ROYAL NEWS:

Prince Edward

The Duke of Edinburgh turned 60 today

PA

The duchess called her husband an “iceberg,” describing how what is seen of her husband above the surface is only a “small proportion” of the work he does behind the scenes.

The duchess explained: “What is never seen or can ever be quantified is the effort spent on ensuring good governance for his patronages, encouraging people to support worthwhile causes, chairing committees, meeting chief executives and think tanks, writing papers, speeches, forewords, introductions, the list goes on.

“But whatever he is doing he gives 150% of himself, and if all else fails he gives any energy he has left out to our exhausted dogs or laying waste to the garden."

Sophie concluded: "He is the best of fathers, the most loving of husbands and still is my best friend."

You may like