Royalty and Us

Royalty joined His Lordship and me to swell the crowds in the city today. We were on our way into town, the crowds were on their meandering viewing of Castle and the Royal Mile, and the Royals were on their way to St Giles Cathedral for the installation of Prince William as a Knight of the Thistle.

I am cynical about whether or not William cares a toss about the honour. He has never to my knowledge been much interested in Scotland apart from having studied at St Andrews University. The Queen, Prince Charles and Princess Anne have kept up their links with the homeland of the old Queen Mother, but the new generation of Royals seem more rooted in the Home Counties and parts south and west of the Watford Gap.

Nevertheless  it must have been quite a spectacle to see the entourage enter the Kirk, complete with full velvet regalia, white plumes and enough insignia on board to sink a battleship, through the ranks of the  of the Royal Company of Archers, the Queens bodyguard in Scotland.

We missed it all, apart from a back view of the Archers outside the Cathedral as we fought our way home through the crowds.

My extra is Phoebe, newly 12.