ON A DAY OF POMP AND PAGEANTRY
GIVE A WARM WELCOME TO THEIR KNIGHTS AND LADIES ON GARTER DAY
Just a few days after celebrating Trooping the Colour in London, the royal family were out in force again to attend the Order of the Garter service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
The King, who has returned to royal duties while continuing to receive cancer treatment, was on sparkling form, supported by his wife the Queen to take part in the centuries-old ceremony.
In his role as Sovereign of the Garter, wearing the blue velvet robes, glittering insignia and white plumed caps of the UK’s oldest and most senior order of chivalry, His Majesty processed down the hill from the castle quadrangle to the chapel’s west door, flanked by his Knights and Ladies.
These included the Queen, the Princess Royal, the Prince of Wales – who wore his Garter vestments at his father’s coronation – the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, who was installed as a Royal Lady Companion in April.
The Danish-born Duchess is the first non-blood royal not married to the monarch or heir to be given such an honour, which is in recognition of her years of service as a senior working royal.
FAMILY TOGETHER
The Duke of Kent, who was appointed to the Order of the Garter in 1985, travelled to the service by car, while the Duchess of Edinburgh, elegant in a pink and cream floral dress with a matching hat, watched the procession from the Galilee Porch alongside Princess Anne’s husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
However, the Princess of Wales, who has attended the event in support of Prince William since 2008, was absent.
Kate, 42, had announced the previous week that she would need to continue her cancer treatment “for a few more months” and so was continuing to focus on her recovery following her high-profile appearance at Trooping the Colour two days before.
Since it was founded in the 14th century by Edward III, the Order has contained a limited number of Knights and Ladies chosen solely by the monarch. Over the centuries, members have come primarily from the aristocracy and foreign royals.
Today, however, Companions are drawn from all areas of society as the monarch honours those who have held public office, contributed to national life, or have served the sovereign personally.
