On March 10, King Charles III awarded Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, the prestigious Order of the Thistle for his 60th birthday. The Order of the Thistle is Scotland's highest royal distinction, traditionally granted to 16 distinguished Scots and selected members of the royal family. Last year, Charles bestowed the same award upon his wife, Queen Camilla. The Order was established in 1687 by King James VII of Scotland and recognizes Scots who supported the monarch. The reigning monarch serves as the 'Sovereign of the Order' and has the authority to make appointments. New members are appointed during a ceremony at the Thistle Chapel in St. Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh. This year, three distinguished Scots were also selected for the award: Professor Dame Sue Black, Baroness of Strome; Baroness Helena Kennedy, Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws; and Sir Geoff Palmer. Professor Dame Sue Black is a prominent anthropologist and president of St. John's College at the University of Oxford. Baroness Helena Kennedy is a leading lawyer and academic who played a pivotal role in founding the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights at Oxford. Sir Geoff Palmer became Scotland's first Black professor at Heriot-Watt University and contributed to the establishment of the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling at Heriot-Watt.