Queen knights royal headmaster

The Order of the Thistle was founded in 1540 by King James V

Prince William's former headmaster has been knighted by the Queen at a ceremony in Edinburgh.

Sir Eric Anderson, provost of Eton College, was made a Knight of the Order of the Thistle at St Giles' Cathedral.

The Order of the Thistle is the highest award in Scotland and is second in prestige only to the Order of the Garter.

The Rt Hon Stewart Ross Sutherland, Lord Sutherland of Houndwood, also received the honour.

Hundreds of well-wishers packed the streets around Parliament Square West hoping for a glimpse of the royal party dressed in their traditional ceremonial robes.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, wearing velvet capes and plumed caps, took part in a procession along with current members of the order and other dignitaries as they walked from the Signet Library into the 15th century cathedral.

Prince Harry

St Giles was decorated with standards including the Lion Rampant for the occasion and hundreds of invited guests gathered inside to watch the party sweep through to the recessed Thistle Chapel for the ceremony.

Sir Eric, who was also Prince Harry's headmaster, and Lord Sutherland of Houndwood, swore allegiance to the Queen and were blessed by the Dean of the Thistle, the Very Rev Gilleasbuig Macmillan.

The Royal couple wore traditional velvet capes and plumed caps

As the Queen and the Duke left for the Palace of Holyroodhouse, they smiled and waved at onlookers who had gathered in the midday sun to see them off.

Christine Inglis, from the US, said: "It was amazing to see them in those great velvet robes and they looked absolutely magnificent."

The Order of the Thistle was founded in 1540 by King James V.

It was discontinued during the Reformation but was re-established by James II (James VII of Scotland) in 1687 to reward Scottish peers who supported him.