Continuing his steady return to public-facing engagements, The King led the Royals in the in the Garter Day procession at Windsor Castle today.
It comes after Charles took the salute from the Irish Guards at Trooping the Colour, which saw His Majesty ride in a carriage instead of on horseback.
Charles and Camilla attended this year’s Garter Day. (Royal Family)
Today’s service saw a number of individuals installed as members of the Order of the Garter, for their service to the nation, including The Duchess of Gloucester, Air Chief Marshal the Lord Peach, The Right Honourable the Lord Kakkar and The Lord Lloyd-Webber.
When new members of the Order are installed, an investiture ceremony is held in the Throne Room of Windsor Castle on the morning of Garter Day. This ceremony is attended by all Companions (Knights and Ladies), wearing the ceremonial habits and garter insignia, and by their spouses.
Garter Throne Room. (RCT)
After the investiture ceremony is concluded, a state luncheon is held in the Banqueting Room.
From here, all the Knights and Ladies of the Order, together with the prelate, chancellor and other officers, in their mantles and ceremonial robes, are led by the Military Knights of Windsor, in procession, through the castle, to St George’s Chapel for a service of worship.
The chapel is the spiritual home of the order, and also the burial place of Elizabeth II, Henry VIII and Charles I.
The Duchess of Gloucester was installed into the Order of the Garter. (Royal Family).
The Order of the Garter was founded by Edward III in 1348, and is dedicated to St 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.
King Charles III, Queen Camilla, The Prince of Wales, Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Royal and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were all seen wearing their deep blue velvet capes and Tudor-style bonnet with ostrich feathers for the procession and service.
The Duchess of Edinburgh and Sir Tim Laurence also attended the Service in a supportive role to their partners.
Unsurprisingly, The Princess of Wales was not present for today’s Service, after having made an appearance at Trooping the Colour over the weekend. It comes after Catherine revealed in a message of thanks to the public that there have been ‘good and bad days’ whilst undergoing treatment for cancer.
Similar to last year’s Garter Day, The Duke of Kent was driven to St George’s Chapel instead of walking in the procession from the Upper Ward due to mobility issues; he is now 86.
The Duke of York was also not part of the proceedings, having stepped back from public duties in 2019.
Today’s ceremony would have brought back fond memories for The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, ahead of their 25th wedding anniversary on Wednesday. The couple’s wedding took place at the order’s spiritual home, St George’s Chapel, in 1999.
After the event had concluded, members of the Royal Family were seen leaving the chapel in carriages. King Charles III and Queen Camilla were in the first carriage, followed by The Prince of Wales and The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
The Princess Royal & Sir Tim Laurence came next, with The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester bringing up the rear.
