Appointments to the Order of the Thistle

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE PRESS SECRETARY TO THE QUEEN

The Queen has been pleased to appoint Lord Sutherland of Houndwood and Dr. Eric Anderson to be Knights of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle.

Background

Appointments to the Order of the Thistle, announced by tradition on St. Andrew's Day, 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 Order of the Thistle represents the highest honour in Scotland. Revived by King James II (James VII of Scotland), 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).

Attached to this announcement is a list of current holders of the Order.

THE MOST ANCIENT AND MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE THISTLE

Sovereign of the Order

THE QUEEN

Royal Lady of the Order

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS ROYAL, 30th November, 2000

Royal Knights

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH, 21st April, 1952

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE CHARLES, DUKE OF ROTHESAY, 11th February, 1977

Officers of the Order

Chancellor

The Most Noble Duke of BUCCLEUCH AND QUEENSBERRY, K.T., V.R.D.

Dean

The Very Reverend Gilleasbuig Iain MACMILLAN, C.V.O.

Secretary and Lord Lyon King of Arms

Robin Orr BLAIR, ESQ., L.V.O., W.S.

Gentleman Usher of the Green Rod

Rear Admiral Christopher Hope LAYMAN, C.B., D.S.O., L.V.O.

Knights and Lady of the Order (16)

The Right Honourable Francis David, The Earl of WEMYSS AND MARCH, K.T., 12th April, 1966.

Colonel Sir Donald Hamish CAMERON OF LOCHIEL, K.T., C.V.O., T.D., 30th November, 1973.

The Most Noble Walter Francis John, Duke of BUCCLEUCH AND QUEENSBERRY, K.T., V.R.D., 30th November, 1978.

The Right Honourable Andrew Douglas Alexander Thomas, Earl of ELGIN AND KINCARDINE, K.T., 30th November, 1981.

The Right Honourable George Morgan, Lord THOMSON OF MONIFIETH, K.T., 30th November, 1981.

The Right Honourable David George Coke Patrick, Earl of AIRLIE, K.T., G.C.V.O., 29th November, 1985.

Captain Sir Iain Mark TENNANT, K.T., 29th November, 1986.

The Right Honourable George Kenneth Hotson, Viscount YOUNGER OF LECKIE, Bt., K.T., K.C.V.O., T.D., D.L., 30th November, 1995.

The Right Honourable John Campbell, Viscount of ARBUTHNOTT, K.T., C.B.E., D.S.C., 29th November, 1996.

The Right Honourable Robert Alexander Lindsay, Earl of CRAWFORD AND BALCARRES, K.T., G.C.V.O., D.L., 29th November, 1996.

Lady Marion Anne FRASER, L.T., 29th November, 1996.

The Right Honourable Norman Somerville, Lord MACFARLANE OF BEARSDEN, K.T., D.L., 29th November, 1996.

The Right Honourable James Peter Hymers Mackay, Lord MACKAY OF CLASHFERN, K.T., 27th November, 1997.

The Right Honourable David Clive, Lord WILSON OF TILLYORN, K.T., G.C.M.G., 30th November, 2000.