King Charles III has installed one of Scotland's most distinguished engineers, Sir Jim McDonald, as a Knight of the Order of the Thistle during a ceremony of pomp and pageantry at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. The event saw the Thistle knights process past guests, dressed in plush green velvet robes, black velvet hats with white ostrich plumes.
Royal Procession and Ceremony
The King, Queen, Prince of Wales (known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland), Duke of Edinburgh, and other Thistle Knights walked into the cathedral watched by the King's Body Guard for Scotland. Sir Jim's appointment, announced a few weeks ago, recognised his lifelong contributions to engineering, education, and public service. He was installed during a private ceremony in the cathedral's Thistle Chapel.
Charles, whose words were relayed to guests via a speaker, said: "It is our pleasure that Sir James Rufus McDonald be installed a Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle."
Official Installation
Baroness Katherine Grainger, who last month was appointed the Usher of the Green Rod, making her an officer of the order, conducted Sir James to one of the vacant stalls in the chapel. The engineer's styles and titles were then read out. Heralds and Pursuivants, followed by The Lord Lyon King of Arms Dr Joe Morrow, and Usher of the Green Rod Dame Katherine Grainger, were part of the spectacular service.
Sir Jim's Distinguished Career
Sir Jim is known for his work in engineering and university leadership. He was appointed as the Rolls-Royce chairman in electrical power systems at the University of Strathclyde in 1993, later becoming head of the electronic and electrical engineering department in 2003, and then principal and vice-chancellor in March 2009, where he remained until he retired in 2025. He served as president of the Royal Academy of Engineering from 2019 to 2024, the first Scot to hold the position.
Sir Jim was knighted in 2012 for services to education, engineering and the economy, and was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) in 2024.
