Presiding Officer George Reid has been made a Privy Counsellor

Mr Reid was Scottish National Party MP for Stirlingshire East & Clackmannan in the 1970s and has been an MSP since the Scottish Parliament was founded.

The Privy Council dates back to the earliest days of the monarchy, when it comprised those appointed by the King or Queen to advise on matters of state.

Appointment to the council is for life and there are about 530 members.

Most honourable

Mr Reid was named as a new privy counsellor along with the Welsh Assembly's presiding officer.

In a statement, No 10 said: "The Queen has been pleased to approve that the Lord Elis-Thomas AM and George Reid MSP be sworn of Her Majesty's most honourable Privy Council."

Traditionally, the Privy Council was a body of advisors to the British Sovereign.

As the power of the monarch declined the cabinet replaced the privy council as the senior decision-making body.

The privy council's duties are now largely formal and ceremonial.

Membership of the Privy Council brings with it the right to be called "Right Honourable".