Amidst a flurry of royal controversies and his own health challenges, King Charles demonstrates unwavering commitment to his royal obligations.
King Charles made headlines by choosing Prince Edward over his brother, Prince Andrew, for a coveted honour. Specifically, Prince Edward was appointed to the Order of the Thistle to commemorate his 60th birthday.
The Order of the Thistle stands as Scotland's most prestigious accolade, consisting of 16 knights or ladies alongside the reigning monarch as the Order's Sovereign.
Prince Andrew faced a series of setbacks in recent years. In 2022, he was stripped of his military titles and patronages amidst allegations of sexual misconduct. Prior to this, a controversial interview regarding his association with Jeffrey Epstein led him to step back from active royal duties in late 2019. Consequently, he's been prohibited from using the title "His Royal Highness" in official capacities.
The palace released an official statement on social media, declaring, "In celebration of The Duke of Edinburgh’s 60th birthday, His Majesty The King has graciously chosen to bestow upon His Royal Highness the esteemed Order of the Thistle."
Shortly after this announcement, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh made a public appearance at the Commonwealth Day Service held at Westminster Abbey.
As Prince Edward's birthday approached, his wife, Sophie, publicly expressed her heartfelt admiration and support for him during a royal engagement.
Meanwhile, the Royal Family faces a series of challenges. King Charles's ongoing cancer treatment has curtailed his public appearances. Additionally, the family grapples with the fallout from a recent scandal involving altered photos of Kate Middleton. The Duchess faced criticism for purportedly modifying a picture with her children, shared on social media in honor of Mother’s Day in the UK.
