Order of the Thistle

The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle is an order of chivalry associated with Scotland. While its original date of foundation is unknown, James VII (also King of England as James II) instituted the modern Order in 1687. The Order consists of the Sovereign and sixteen Knights and Ladies, as well as certain "extra" knights (members of the British Royal Family and foreign monarchs). The Sovereign alone grants membership of the Order; he or she is not advised by the Government, as occurs with most other Orders.

Current Members and Officers

• Sovereign: HM The Queen
• Knights and Ladies:
• The Rt Hon. The Earl of Wemyss and March KT (1966)
• His Grace The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry KT VRD (1978)
• The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine KT VRD DL
• The Rt Hon. The Lord Thomson of Monifieth KT PC DL (1981)
• The Rt Hon. The Earl of Airlie KT GCVO PC (1985)
• Captain Sir Iain Tennant KT (1986)
• The Rt Hon. The Viscount of Arbuthnott KT CBE DSC (1996)
• The Rt Hon. The Earl of Crawford and Balcarres KT GCVO PC (1996)
• Lady Marion Fraser LT (1996)
• The Rt Hon. The Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden KT DL (1996)
• The Rt Hon. The Lord Mackay of Clashfern KT PC (1997)
• The Rt Hon. The Lord Wilson of Tillyorn KT GCMG (2000)
• The Rt Hon. The Lord Sutherland of Houndwood KT (2002)
• Sir Eric Anderson KT (2002)
• The Rt Hon. The Lord Steel of Aikwood KT KBE (2004)
• The Rt Hon. The Lord Robertson of Port Ellen KT GCMG PC (2004)
• Supernumerary Knights and Ladies
• HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG KT OM GBE AC QSO PC (1952)
• HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay KG KT GCB OM AK QSO PC ADC (1977)
• HRH The Princess Royal LG LT GCVO QSO (2000)
• Officers:
• Dean: The Very Revd Gilleasbuig Iain MacMillan CVO
• Chancellor: His Grace The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry KT VRD
• Usher: Rear Adml Christopher Hope Layman CB DSO LVO (Gentleman Usher of the Green Rod)
• King of Arms and Secretary: The Rt Hon. Robin Orr Blair LVO WS (Lord Lyon King of Arms)