The 92-year-old monarch looked resplendent in her traditional green velvet robes and white-plumed hat as she took part in the ceremony at St Giles’ Cathedral in the Scottish capital.
Her Majesty looked in good spirits this morning despite having to wear the heavy robes in the hot weather.
The Thistle Service takes place once every two years to install new members of the Order of the Thistle.
Ahead of the church service, there is a procession to St Giles’ Cathedral through Edinburgh town centre.
This year, Sir Richard Scott, the Duke of Buccleuch and Queesnberry, and Sir Ian Clark Wood will be installed into the order.
Richard Scott, the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, became a ‘sir’ following his previous investiture to the Order of the Thistle, the greatest order of chivalry in Scotland.
The Order of the Thistle is the greatest order of chivalry in Scotland, recognising sixteen Knights with the highest honour in the country and recognises Scottish men and women who have held public office or who have contributed in a particular way to national life.
The Order is second only in precedence in England to the Order of the Garter.
The date of the foundation of the Order is not known, although legend has it that it was founded in 809 when King Achaius made an alliance with the Emperor Charlemagne.
The order honours Scottish men and women who have held public office or contributed in a particular way to public life.
There are just 16 knights within the order, in addition to certain members of the royal family – the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and the Princess Royal.
The Royal Company of Archers took part in the military parade ahead of the… Businessman and philanthropist Sir Ian Wood has also been given Scotland’s highest possible honour.
All of the appointments to the Order are made as a personal gift from the Queen.
The order is the greatest order of chivalry in Scotland, recognising Scottish men and women who have held public office or who have contributed in a particular way to national life.
Each year, The Queen spends a week visiting various regions in Scotland, as well as hosting a reception at Holyrood Palace.