Princess of Wales is radiant in a white Self Portrait dress as she arrives at St George’s Chapel for the Order of the Garter ceremony
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The Princess of Wales has made a glamorous re-appearance at the annual Order of the Garter service as she giggled with the Duchess of Edinburgh while watching the procession pass through the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Catherine, 43, sadly missed last year’s event – one of the highlights of the royal calendar – after being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing preventative chemotherapy.
But she returned this afternoon to watch her husband, Prince William, parade alongside his father, King Charles, Queen Camilla and other senior royals – dressed in blue velvet cloacks and hats with plumes of ostrich feathers – at the historic occasion.
The Princess, wearing a cream Self Portrait dress and a matching wide brimmed hat by Sean Barrett, stood alongside the Duchess to watch the procession for the first time in two years.
For accessories, Catherine picked her five-strand faux pearl necklace and matching earrings – both from Jewish designer Susan Caplan – that she previously wore to the VE Day 80th Anniversary Concert in March.
The Order of the Garter is Britain’s oldest order of chivalry.
It was set up in 1348 by King Edward III who, inspired by tales of King Arthur and the chivalry of the Knights of the Round Table, created his own group of honourable knights.
The Knights, now both male and female, used to be limited to aristocracy, but today – 700 years later – they are chosen from a variety of backgrounds, in recognition for their public service and include former Prime Minister and senior military figures, as well as members of the Royal Family.
The Princess of Wales has made a glamorous re-appearance at the annual Order of the Garter service at Windsor as Kate picked a white Self Portrait dress for today’s ceremony
The future Queen repurposed her ivory Self-Portrait Tailored Boucle and Chiffon Midi for the occasion
There are a maximum of 24 members at any one time, demonstrating the exclusivity of the Order.
Following a private lunch at Windsor Castle, The King, who is Sovereign of the Garter, typically leads a dazzling parade down to St George’s Chapel.
Today, the Princess of Wales and Duchess of Edinburgh watched from the chapel’s Galilee Porch as the procession – which also included Prince Edward, Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester – walked past for the order’s annual church service.
The one notable absentee again was the Duke of York, who while forced to step back from all public royal duties over the Epstein scandal remains a member of the Order.
He is no longer permitted to join the procession but is not barred from attending the private lunch, should he so wish.
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 – such as former Prime Ministers and senior military figures.
The patron saint of the Order is St George, its motto is ‘Shame on him who thinks this evil’, and its spiritual home is the chapel here at Windsor.
Every knight is required to display a banner of his arms in the chapel, together with a helmet, crest and sword and an enamelled stallplate.
The Princess of Wales was all smiles as she attended the first Order of the Garter ceremony since returning to public duties after completing cancer treatment
Catherine first wore the ivory Self Portrait dress in 2021
Catherine kept her makeup looking fresh and natural as she focussed the attention on her eyes with a soft smokey look. She wore her bronde locks in loose waves
The Duchess of Edinburgh picked a powder pink, calf-length dress for the occasion
Catherine and Sophie posing together at today’s Order of the Garter service – as the Duchess of Edinburgh remains by the future Queen’s side amid her ‘measured return’ to public life after completing a preventative course of chemotherapy last September
Two of a kind! Catherine and Sophie both wore long midi dresses, cinched at the waist with belts, and elegant hats as they opted for monochrom ensembles for today’s royal event
Catherine, 43, sadly missed last year’s event – one of the highlights of the royal calendar – after being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing preventative chemotherapy
The Household Cavalry Band musicians make their way past the Lower Ward ahead of the annual Order of the Garter Service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle
As the elderly Military Knights of Windsor, who led the procession, appeared into view and made their way slowly past them, the two women appeared tickled by something, laughing together
These ‘achievements’ are taken down on the knight’s death and the insignia are returned to the Sovereign. The stallplates remain as a memorial and these now form one of the finest collections of heraldry in the world.
The King, resplendent in the traditional velvet robes and plumed hat of the Order of the Garter, smiled as he presided over the elaborate display of pomp and pageantry in the blazing sunshine.
The Queen, also dressed in the order’s full regalia, walked alongside him as the procession snaked its way down the hill from the castle’s quadrangle to St George’s Chapel.
Ahead of them, walked the Prince of Wales, who chatted to his uncle, the Duke of Edinburgh, but failed to catch his wife’s eye. The Princess Royal was just ahead of them.
Meanwhile, the Duke of Kent, 89, travelled by car accompanied by an equerry.
The Princess and the Duchess had emerged from the Galilee Porch entrance to the chapel at least ten minutes before the procession started, chatting and laughing together under a canopy.
As the elderly Military Knights of Windsor, who led the procession, appeared into view and made their way slowly past them, the two women appeared tickled by something, laughing together.
When Prince William came into view further up the hill, he appeared to keep glancing towards his wife but she was too busy chatting to the Duchess.
The King, resplendent in the traditional velvet robes and plumed hat of the Order of the Garter, leaving the ceremony
The Prince and Princess of Wales prepare to leave after the Order of the Garter service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle
The Prince and Princess of Wales leaving Windsor Castle after the procession
Catherine smiling at well-wishers and royal fans as she and Prince William left the ceremony together
Catherine and Sophie both wore wide-brimmed hats for the ceremony as the sun shone brightly on a sweltering day in London
When Prince William came into view further up the hill, he appeared to keep glancing towards his wife but she was too busy chatting to the Duchess
The Band of the Grenadier Guards play during the annual Order of the Garter Service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle
Hundreds of onlookers, many trying to shelter from the heat with straw hats and parasols, cheered as the party slowly made its way through the grounds.
Many had brought camping chairs and picnics, while others purchased ice creams.
Last year, the Duchess of Gloucester was invested, having been made a Royal Lady Companion.
Air Chief Marshal the Lord Peach, a retired RAF officer who chairs Nato’s military committee, Lord Kakkar, a professor of surgery, and Lord Lloyd-Webber, the composer, were also invested and installed as Knights.
Other Knights include former prime ministers Sir John Major and Sir Tony Blair and Baroness Manningham-Buller, the former head of MI5, the first female chancellor of the Order.
The Duke of York has not taken part in the public procession since 2019, following his fall from grace.
However, he is believed to have joined the King and the rest of his family for the earlier investiture in the castle’s Garter Throne Room and the traditional lunch that takes place afterwards in the Waterloo Chamber, both behind closed doors.
After processing through the grounds, the royals arrived at the chapel’s West Door to the sound of a trumpet fanfare. The 50-minute service was broadcast via loudspeakers to the spectators in the grounds.
Britain’s Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (right), and Vice-admiral Sir Timothy Laurence ride in a carriage after the Order of the Garter service
Former Prime Minister, Sir Tony Blair attends the Order of the Garter service
Lord Lloyd-Webber, the composer, was also invested and installed as a Knight
One of the soldiers lining the route fainted in the 26 degree heat and had to be helped to his feet and into the shade.
After the service, the King and Queen led the departures on a fleet of landaus, smiling and waving to the cheering crowds outside the chapel.
They were followed by William and Catherine and the other senior royals.
The appearance comes just a day after the Princess of Wales joined her husband Prince William and their three children at Trooping of the Colour in London.
William and Kate were joined by Princes Louis and George and Princess Charlotte as they celebrated the King’s official birthday.
Kate, 43, looked resplendent in an aquamarine coat dress from her late mother-in-law Princess Diana’s favourite designer Catherine Walker – complete with a wide-brimmed hat by Juliette Botterill.
The mother-of-three accessorised with the Irish Guards regimental brooch as well as the Bahrain Pearl Drop earrings in a sweet tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
They were crafted from pearls gifted to the Queen and Philip from the ruler of Bahrain at the time of their wedding in 1947.
Charles III and Queen Camilla waved at onlookers as they departed the Order of the Garter service at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on June 16
King Charles and Queen Camilla arriving at St George’s Chapel for today’s ceremony. The Queen also opted to wear a white ensemble – like Catherine’s £400 Self Portrait dress
King Charles III Queen Camilla arrive for the Order of the Garter service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle
Kate was a vision in white as she arrived at Windsor Castle for the Order of the Garter ceremony
Prince William at the Order of the Garter ceremony, dressed to the nines in his blue velvet cloak – complete with a hat adorned with plumes of ostrich feathers
Members of the Royal Family and Order of the Garter members arrive at the chapel for the Order of the Garter service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle
Yeomen Warders and members of the household cavalry wait outside the chapel during the Order of the Garter service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle
Her mini-me daughter Charlotte also paid tribute to the late monarch by rewearing the Diamond Horseshoe brooch she wore to her great-grandmother’s funeral.
The brooch, which has been in the Royal Family for generations, had been a gift from her ‘Gan-Gan’ the Queen, and was a fitting nod to Her Majesty’s love of horses.
Meanwhile, the boys, George and Louis, wore matching suits with striking red ties to match their father’s scarlet military tunic.
The King, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77, led the royal appearances on Saturday as they watched a flypast involving aircraft including the Red Arrows, Chinook helicopters and a Lancaster bomber, a model that was used during World War II.
But it was the Wales Family – particularly little Prince Louis – who stole the show on the Buckingham Palace balcony where they were joined by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, as well as the Princess Royal and Sir Timothy Laurence.
The late Queen’s cousin the Duke of Gloucester and his wife also watched the flypast, alongside Prince Michael of Kent.
Cheeky Prince Louis captured the hearts of the nation once again as he waved to the gathered crowds with a large beaming smile.
Earlier, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were seen bowing their heads in respect as the royal family led a minute’s silence to remember the 270 people so far known to have been killed in the Air India disaster.
The Prince of Wales was seen sporting the full beard that has, in recent days, left royal fans swooning
From left to right: The Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester
A stumble on the steps after the Order of the Garter service at St George’s Chapel
The Princess Royal, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive to attend the annual Order of the Garter Service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle
A member of the Household Cavalry has his helmet carried for him after he fainted, as attendees arrive for the Order of the Garter service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle
Prince William and Catherine’s children watched on from a nearby balcony after taking part in the Trooping the Colour parade from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guard’s Parade while their parents carried out official roles during the ceremony.
Led by a regal Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, the youngsters joined the rest of the royals in a quiet moment of reflection to remember the lives lost in the disaster.
Fans gathered early on the Mall on Saturday and braved the rain while hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal family. A small group of protesters carrying placards reading ‘Not my King’ was also in attendance.
The procession was led by a carriage carrying the Duchess of Edinburgh and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, ahead of a second in which the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will travel.
The Prince of Wales, Princess Royal and the Duke of Edinburgh followed behind on horseback.
It is the first time Princess Anne has ridden in public since she suffered a head injury, thought to be caused by a horse, at her home last year.
What is the Order of the Garter? How King Edward III was so inspired by tales of King Arthur he set up his own group of knights almost 700 years ago
In medieval times, King Edward III was so inspired by tales of King Arthur and the chivalry of the Knights of the Round Table that he set up his own group of honourable knights, called the Order of the Garter.
Nearly 700 years later, the Order is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain. The Knights, now both male and female, used to be limited to aristocracy, but today they are chosen from a variety of backgrounds, in recognition for their public service.
The patron saint of the Order is St George (patron saint of soldiers and also of England) and if there are vacancies in the Order, appointments are announced on St George’s Day (23 April).
The Order of the Garter is a 700-year-old tradition which recognises great public service. Membership is limited to a maximum of 24 and is usually Lords and Ladies with The Queen, left in 2018, naming members as she sees fit. An ‘extra’ group of members who do not count towards the official limit are Royal Knights, including Prince William, while Prince Charles is an automatic member as first in line to the throne
The spiritual home of the Order is St George’s Chapel, Windsor. Every knight is required to display a banner of his arms in the Chapel, together with a helmet, crest and sword and an enamelled stallplate.
These ‘achievements’ are taken down on the knight’s death and the insignia are returned to the Sovereign. The stallplates remain as a memorial and these now form one of the finest collections of heraldry in the world.
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.
As sovereign and heir, The Queen and Prince Charles are automatically given membership of the Order and are considered ‘ex officio knights’. The Prince of Wales is known as a Royal Knight Companion of the Garter.
The sovereign, known as the Sovereign of the Garter, is the only one with the power to admit new members.
The Garter is open to British and Commonwealth citizens. Notable former members include Sir Winston Churchill, Stanley Baldwin and Sir Edmund Hillary.
Field Marshall, the Lord Bramall, a former Chief of the Defence Staff, the Duke of Abercorn, the Duke of Westminster and Baroness Manningham-Buller, the former Director-General of MI5, are among the current Knights and Ladies of the Garter.
There are also two orders of ‘extra’ knights. Members of the Royal Knights and Ladies include Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, Prince Charles, the Princess Royal and Prince William.
A second order, the Stranger Knights and Ladies, is bestowed on foreign rulers such as Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Harald V of Norway.
Although new additions are named on St. George’s Day, the 23 April, the initiation ceremony takes place in Junmantle during the traditional Garter Procession, which sees members parade through Windsor.
The annual iconic Garter Day procession, where The Queen and the Knights process in grand velvet robes, glistening insignia and plumed hats, is one of the most traditional ceremonies in the Queen’s calendar.
Every June, a grand procession of the knights takes place at Windsor Castle, accompanied by a marching band and Officers of the Order, all in grand ceremonial dress.
The day begins with The Queen formally investing any new Companions with the Order’s insignia in the Throne Room of the Castle. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh entertain the members and officers at a lunch, and then all process on foot to a service in St. George’s Chapel.
There is a short service where any new Companions are installed. The Sovereign and other members of the Order then return to the Upper Ward of the castle in carriages and cars.
