Heriot-Watt Chancellor Sir Geoff Palmer receives The Order of the Thistle

Professor Emeritus Sir Geoff Palmer, Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, has been officially installed as a member of Scotland's highest order of chivalry.

The King personally selected him to receive The Order of the Thistle, which recognises Sir Geoff's significant contributions to public service.

Sir Geoff was among 16 Knights to be recognised alongside Royal Knights Queen Camilla and the Duke of Edinburgh at the investiture ceremony on Wednesday 3 July at The Thistle Chapel, St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, which has hosted the order since 1911.

The ancient royal honour is thought to date back to 1687 when James VII of Scotland (James II) established the Order of the Thistle. It recognises 16 knights, drawn from men and women across the UK who have held public office or given a "particular contribution" to national life, alongside additional Royal knights. Only the monarch can bestow the honour on someone, and the most recent recipients include Sir Geoff, anthropologist Professor Dame Sue Black and lawyer Baroness Helena Kennedy.

Reacting to his appointment to the order earlier this year, Sir Geoff said: “This is a tremendously proud moment for me and my family. The Order of the Thistle is steeped in a rich, cultural history that I am now proud to be part of; it comes with a real sense of responsibility, and I’m truly honoured to have been selected.”

Sir Geoff will now join esteemed members in having a named stall in the chapel. The Order's Latin motto is nemo me impune lacessit - "no one harms me with impunity."

Sir Geoff became Scotland’s first black professor in 1989 and has served as Chancellor of the University since 2021.