King Charles and Queen Camilla are shortening their annual Holyrood Week stay in Scotland because of the UK’s July 4 elections, but before concluding the events, the king was able to give his wife and brother Prince Edward the Order of the Thistle, Scotland’s highest royal honor. On Wednesday, Prince William traveled to Edinburgh to participate in the St Giles Cathedral ceremony, which was also attended by Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. Camila and Edward both left the ceremony wearing the order’s luxurious green velvet robes.

This year’s Holyrood Week coincides with the 900th anniversary of the City of Edinburgh, and Charles began the week with an official presentation of the keys to the city, followed by a brief military parade and an event honoring a Scottish literary legend. At an investiture ceremony at Edinburgh’s Palace of Holyroodhouse, Charles awarded a knighthood to Alexander McCall Smith, author of the beloved and bestselling No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, along with 50 other honors. The king also welcomed composer Paul Mealor into the Royal Victorian Order for his services to the royal family, which included original compositions for last year’s coronation and the 2011 wedding of William and Kate Middleton.

Camilla later hosted a small reception for bookshop owners, writers, and literary organizations. On Tuesday, the king and queen also hosted a garden party for 8,000 Scots who have made a positive impact on their community.

Holyrood Week, where the monarch celebrates Scottish culture and heritage, usually lasts for five days. Though the members of the royal family do not vote by tradition, they often avoid overlap with election campaigns to preserve their neutrality. When Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a general election on May 23, the palace announced that both Charles and William would cancel a handful of events “which may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign.” After the election has concluded and a new prime minister is appointed, one of the politician’s first duties will include a meeting with the king.