Royal couple appear together

Princess Anne was installed as Royal Lady of the Thistle

The Princess Royal and her husband have appeared together at a ceremony in Edinburgh amid continuing doubts over their marriage.

Princess Anne was accompanied by Commander Tim Laurence as she was installed as a Royal Lady of the Thistle in recognition of her work in flying the royal standard in Scotland.

Senior royals, including the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince Charles also took part in the ceremony at St Giles' Cathedral.

Commander Laurence: Media attention

Commander Laurence has been in the headlines since reports began circulating that his eight year marriage to the princess was on the rocks.

The princess has so far refused to comment on rumours that she and her husband are leading separate lives.

Princess Anne married Commander Laurence - a former equerry to the Queen - in Scotland in 1992 following her divorce from Captain Mark Phillips earlier the same year.

The couple arrived at Wednesday's ceremony at St Giles' Cathedral side by side after making the five-minute journey by car from the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where the royal family is staying this week.

It is the first time they have appeared before the cameras together since news of an alleged rift was reported.

Side by side

Commander Laurence then left his wife's side to join the congregation, which also included Anne's two children, Peter and Zara, from her first marriage.

After the 40-minute ceremony, Anne smiled and waved at onlookers as she returned to the palace side by side with her brother Charles by royal car.

Also installed in the Order of the Thistle was Lord Wilson of Tillyorn, governor of Hong Kong from 1987 to 1992, when he was succeeded by Chris Patten.

The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle is the highest royal accolade bestowed in Scotland and second only to the Order of the Garter in terms of distinction.

The princess's ascension to its ranks reflects her work in representing the royal family at public engagements in Scotland and her patronage of Scottish charities and institutions, most famously the Scottish Rugby Union.