David Martin Scott Steel, Baron Steel of Aikwood, is a retired Scottish politician. Elected as Member of Parliament for Roxburgh, Selkirk, and Peebles, followed by Tweeddale, Ettrick, and Lauderdale, he served as the final leader of the Liberal Party, from 1976 to 1988. His tenure spanned the duration of the alliance with the Social Democratic Party, which began in 1981 and concluded with the formation of the Liberal Democrats in 1988.
Official portrait, 2020
Steel addressing the Liberal Party assembly in Harrogate on merger in 1987
Steel's stall in the Thistle Chapel, St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh. His arms can be seen on the right, with the crest of a springing jaguar.
The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle is an order of chivalry associated with Scotland. The current version of the order was founded in 1687 by King James VII of Scotland, who asserted that he was reviving an earlier order. The order consists of the sovereign and sixteen knights and ladies, as well as certain "extra" knights. The sovereign alone grants membership of the order; they are not advised by the government, as occurs with most other orders.
John Drummond, 1st Earl of Melfort in 1688; originator of the 'revived' order
James V wearing a Thistle-style collar, c. 1538
Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex in the robes of a Knight of the Order of the Thistle
Vestments of a Knight of the Thistle