Today, Camilla will formally be acknowledged as a Royal Lady of the Order of the Garter, although her appointment was announced in late 2021. Read more: Prince William and Kate Middleton planning to move house King Edward III is said to have founded the Order after being inspired by King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and today will see the Duchess of Cornwall formally invested in her new role by Her Majesty in the Garter Throne Room. Originally established back in 1348 by King Edward III, the Most Noble Order of the Garter is the oldest order of chivalry in Britain and, this year, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, is set to be formally instated into the Order. Members of the Royal Family and knights are also usually in attendance, adorning elegant velvet robes and plumed hats. Garter Day, a significant event in the Royal Family's calendar, is embellished with all the usual royal tradition, and will today involve two new appointments being formally given their roles.įor those who are unaware, Garter Day sees a procession, usually led by the Queen, take place at Windsor Castle - the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter. Then, Spain's King Felipe and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands were installed as Supernumerary, or 'Stranger' Knights: overseas monarchs appointed to the order, in addition to the 24 knights or ladies.Īlso present for that occasion were their wives Queen Letizia and Queen Maxima, providing a splash of glamour for the centuries-old ceremony.Windsor Castle will host the first Garter Day in three years today, June 13. The ceremony was last held in 2019, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Knights of the Garter are chosen personally by the Sovereign to honour those who have held public office, who have contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge take part in the carriage procession at Windsor Castle. The order includes the Queen, who is Sovereign of the Garter, several senior members of the royal family, and 24 Knights or Ladies chosen in recognition of their work.

The Order of the Garter was established by King Edward III nearly 700 years ago. Instead, the 96-year-old wore a blue Garter sash over her silver white gown and used a walking stick for support. The Order of the Garter has taken place for the first time since 2019. Her Majesty did not wear the traditional Garter robes during the investiture for what is believed to have been the first time, with the regalia too heavy. The Queen chose not to join the carriage procession from the castle to St George's Chapel due to mobility issues that have forced her to limit her public engagements since October. (Getty)įormer British Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair was appointed to the order, prompting some protests outside Windsor Castle. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, attends the Order of the Garter service at St George's Chapel. The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry. Sophie wore a pink Valentino frock, a hat by Jane Taylor and a diamond rose brooch. Collins and Sons, first seen during a service at St Paul's Cathedral in 2015. Kate chose new blue coat dress, believed to be Alexander McQueen, a hat by Juliette Botterill and her tanzanite and diamond jewels from G. The Duchess of Cambridge and the Countess of Wessex were among the Queen's family present for the occasion. She wore a Bruce Oldfield gown beneath her robes. The ceremony proceeded as planned, with Camilla taking part in the procession for the first time, having been appointed a Royal Lady of the Order of the Garter. Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge leave St George's Chapel. Prince Andrew remains a member of the Order of the Garter but he was not photographed during the ceremony apart from driving to the castle from his nearby residence, the Royal Lodge, wearing a suit and tie.īuckingham Palace said it was a family decision but aides for the Duke of York said it was made because he did 'not want to do anything that would embarrass the Queen or make things difficult'. However, he was still allowed to attend the investiture in the castle's Garter throne room and lunch with the royal family and the Knights Companion and Ladies Companion in the Waterloo Chamber, all away from the public.

Prince Charles and Prince William during the carriage procession to Windsor Castle after the Order of the Garter service at St.

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