Prince William sends strong message to Harry as he pays tribute to Camilla in Scotland

Prince William arrived in Scotland without his wife Kate Middleton to pay tribute to Queen Camilla and Prince Edward at a special ceremony.

The Prince of Wales sent a strong message to his younger brother Prince Harry with his support for the Queen as she and the Duke of Edinburgh officially became members of the Order of the Thistle in a ceremony celebrating Scotland’s highest order of chivalry.

Camilla, 76, and Edward, 60, were made Royal Knights of the Order by the monarch in a private ceremony, which was also attended by heir to the throne Prince William.

On Wednesday (July 3), the duo were officially installed in a ceremony at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.

Prince William made a solo appearance at the event, with the Princess of Wales out of action due to ongoing chemotherapy following her cancer diagnosis.

King Charles, 75, is the Sovereign of the Order of the Thistle, and the appointments are his personal gift, made independently of Downing Street.

The Queen is patron of Maggie’s Cancer Care Centres, which was founded in Edinburgh in 1996 and now has centres in Scotland, England and Wales. She is also patron or chair of a number of charities based in Scotland, including Crathie Opportunity Holidays, Scotland’s Gardens Scheme and Horseback UK.

Any new honour bestowed on Queen Camilla could come as a blow to Harry, as he would feel that she was the one who somehow upset him with her foray into the royal’s life.

Camilla is also an honorary member of the local Ballater Women’s Institute and the Upper Deeside Art Society. Prince Edward is a patron of several Scottish charities, including the Edinburgh International Festival.

Baroness Helena Kennedy, a barrister, and Sir Geoff Palmer, Scotland’s first black professor, have also been appointed to the order. King Charles and the Queen will also attend an event to mark the start of celebrations commemorating the 900th anniversary of Edinburgh Castle.