Her Majesty The Queen 1926 - 2022

We are saddened to hear about the death of Her Majesty The Queen. Our heartfelt thoughts and sympathies go out to The Royal Family.

At this difficult time, we remember the support Her Majesty, as the Patron of Thistle, has given to us over many years.

Thistle Foundation has connections to The Royal Family dating back to the founding of the organisation. However, it was in 2002, Her Majesty became our Patron.

In 1962, we were honoured to welcome Her Majesty to Craigmillar, where she kindly took the time to view the estate and meet with residents and staff.

As our much-valued Patron, we were privileged to welcome Her Majesty twice again, in 1998 and 2013. During the visit to Wighton House in 2013, Her Majesty marked the start of our 70th anniversary celebrations. It was at this event that she met two of the original residents of Thistle’s Craigmillar settlement, Win Scullard and Doreen Martin, along with members of the Thistle Community, and spoke eloquently about the issues that affect veterans.

Her Majesty The Queen during our 70th anniversary celebrations, Wighton House, 2013

These visits have been remembered fondly throughout the years by people we support, colleagues, trustees, and volunteers.