Members of the Royal Family gathered for today’s Order of the Garter ceremony at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
The ceremony had previously been cancelled due to the COVID pandemic, and takes place each year the Monday after Trooping the Colour.
Prince Charles and Camilla at the Garter Day service at Windsor Castle
Today’s ceremony was especially important to The Duchess of Cornwall, as it saw her become a Royal Lady of the Order of the Garter, the most senior British order of chivalry.
The Order of the Garter was founded by Edward III in 1348, and is dedicated to Saint George, England’s patron saint. Based on the Crusade-era orders of chivalry, members are admitted usually in recognition of a national contribution, for public service, or for personal service to the Sovereign.
St George’s Chapel, which itself dates back to 1475, is the order’s spiritual home.
The Prince of Wales, Earl of Wessex, Duke of Gloucester, Princess Royal, Duke of Cambridge and Duchess of Cornwall all wore the deep blue velvet cape and Tudor-style bonnet with ostrich feathers for the procession and service, following the annual lunch inside the castle.
The Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Wessex, Duchess of Gloucester and Sir Tim Laurence were also in attendance to support their respective partners, watching the ceremony without Camilla, with whom they would usually observe.
Camilla’s children, Laura and Tom, were also watching the proceedings.
The Queen oversaw the investiture ceremony and a private lunch but did not attend the Chapel service with other members of the Royal Family. She has recently suffered from mobility issues.
Traditionally, The Queen would lead other knights in a procession as the service takes place at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor. Members walk from the Upper Ward of the castle, where the lunch takes place in the private apartments, down to the Lower Ward, where the chapel is located.
After the event had concluded, the Royal Family were seen leaving the chapel in carriages, heading back to the private apartments.
The Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in the first carriage.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex were in the second carriage alone, while The Princess Royal and Sir Timothy and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were in the second carriage.
Members of the public are able to attend, watching the procession to and from the chapel.
Charles, Camilla, William and Catherine leaving the ceremony. (Royal Family)
The Earl and Countess of Wessex leaving the ceremony in a carriage. (Royal Family)
Princess Anne was seen with her husband and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester after the ceremony. (Royal Family)
Today’s investiture also saw Baroness Amos and Sir Tony Blair become members of the Order of the Garter, for their service to the nation.
A protest took place outside the castle against the former Prime Minister, decrying his involvement in the Iraq War after 9/11.
After the ceremony had taken place, a new picture of The Queen and The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall was released, marking Camilla’s admission to the Order.
In 2019, we saw a similar photo released of King Felipe of Spain and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands after they were formally created Stranger Knights at that year’s ceremony.
The Queen wore a silver gown and matching shoes. She could be seen using a walking stick, which is made of light wood with a metal clasp and a smooth marble handle.
A new picture was released following The Duchess of Cornwall’s investiture to the Order of Garter. (Royal Family).
Buckingham Palace confirmed earlier that Prince Andrew would attend a private lunch and investiture ceremony as part of the Garter Day service but said a ‘family decision’ had been made that he would not take part publicly.
The Duke of York was admitted to the Order of the Garter – the Monarch’s personal gift – back in 2006.
Siblings The Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra, 86 and 85 respectively, were noticeably absent from the procession and service; it is currently unclear if they attended the lunch.
