Prince Edward's recent birthday gift from King Charles on display during solo appearance

Prince Edward celebrated his 60th birthday on March 10, and this week he had the opportunity to display the special gift given to him by his brother King Charles for the occasion.

Charles, 75, appointed Prince Edward the Order of the Thistle for his birthday. This is Scotland's highest honour, gifting him the insignia, the star of the Order of the Thistle.

Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, was able to display it for the first time during a solo appearance at the Service of Dedication for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship at RFA Stirling Castle in Leith on April 11.

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The star of the Order of the Thistle was pinned to his uniform. It is silver with a green centre and the motto in gold.

The Order of the Thistle includes 16 knights and ladies including Princess Anne, the Princess Royal and Prince William is known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland following his inclusion as a Royal Knight of the Thistle.

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Prince Edward is commodore-in-chief of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and wore his military uniform complete with honours and medals for the occasion. The royal was given a tour of the new naval ship on April 11 and he was all smiles as he met with the vessels crew.

It has been a busy year for Prince Edward and wife Sophie who have increased their royal duties while King Charles and the Princess of Wales undergo cancer treatment.

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The couple were titled the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh by King Charles on Edward's 59th birthday, the previous Duke of Edinburgh being their father Prince Philip who died in 2021.

This week Prince Edward was announced as the new Colonel of the Scots Guard following the retirement of the Duke of Kent, 88, who this week stepped down from the role after an extraordinary 50 years in the position.

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