King Charles bestows top honour on senior engineer Sir Jim McDonald

The King has installed one of Scotland’s most distinguished engineers as a Knight of the Order of the Thistle during a ceremony of pomp and pageantry.

Sir Jim McDonald formally became a member of Scotland’s most prestigious order of chivalry during the event at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh where the Thistle knights processed past guests.

Dressed in their plush green velvet robes, black velvet hats with white ostrich plumes the King, Queen, Prince of Wales, Duke of Edinburgh and other Thistle Knights walked into the cathedral watched by the King’s Body Guard for Scotland.

The Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland, departs the Thistle Service at St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh, as part of the King's visit to Scotland for Holyrood Week. Picture date: Wednesday July 1, 2026. — The Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland, departs the Thistle Service at St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh, as part of the King’s visit to Scotland for Holyrood Week. Picture date: Wednesday July 1, 2026. PA Media

Sir Jim’s appointment, announced a few weeks ago, recognised his lifelong contributions to engineering, education, and public service and 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.”

Baroness Katherine Grainger, who last month was appointed the Usher of the Green Rod, making her as an officer of the order, conducted Sir James to one of the vacant stalls in the chapel and the engineer’s styles and titles were 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 (Jane Barlow/PA) PA Media

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.

Sir Jim served as president of the Royal Academy of Engineering from 2019 to 2024, the first Scot to hold the position.

He 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.