A touch of tartan! Duchess of Cambridge adds Scottish twist to pretty primrose outfit as she watches William honoured as Knight of the Thistle

The Duchess of Cambridge attended her first public appearance as the Countess of Strathearn as she attended a service in Edinburgh today that would see her husband given the highest honour possible in Scotland.
Wearing a pale yellow coat dress by Emilia Wickstead and carrying a flash of Strathearn tartan in the shape of a folded scarf - a nod to her Scottish title - Kate joined the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal for the Thistle Service, which will see Prince William installed as Knight of the Thistle.
The event at the city's St Giles' Cathedral was witnessed by hundreds of invited guests.
Thousands of people crowded on to the Royal Mile to catch a glimpse of William and Kate - known as the Earl and Countess of Strathearn while in Scotland - and other royals as they made their way from the Signet Library, across Parliament Square and into the cathedral.
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Kate, known in Scotland as the Countess of Strathearn, attends a Thistle Service at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh for the installation of The Prince William, Earl of Strathearn, as a Knight of the Thistle

The colour of the Emilia Wickstead coat-dress, which was created especially for Kate ahead of the event, was an unusual choice for the duchess, who has only worn yellow in public once before

Elegant: Kate has shown a fondness for the New Zealand-born, British-based designer of late, and wore a pink Wickstead coat-dress twice in recent months

The Order of the Thistle is the highest honour in Scotland and is second only in precedence in the UK to the Order of the Garter.
It honours men and women who have held public office or who have contributed in a significant way to national life.

 

The Princess Royal was invested in the Order of the Thistle in June 2001.
The royal family entered the cathedral shortly before 11am to a fanfare, accompanied by other members of the Order, all wearing ceremonial gowns.
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cambridge, took her place in the audience.

Kate's hat is by Luton-based milliner Whiteley, £99, supplied at Fenwick on Bond St, and is a style she has worn on a number of previous occasions

Just as she did on the day of the Jubilee flotilla, Kate carried a folded Strathearn scarf, a nod to her Scottish title

The Duchess of Cambridge last carried the folded Strathearn tartan scarf during the Jubilee flotilla last month, left, and in an identical manner today

At her ears Kate wore a pair of simple gold and citrine drop earrings by jeweller Kiki McDonough

Kiki McDonough citrine drop earrings, £495, as worn by the Duchess of Cambridge