The Queen has been joined by other senior royals as she led celebrations at the annual Order of the Garter today.
Her Majesty arrived at the chapel by state limousine while the majority of members of the order, including the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge, processed through the grounds of the castle to the event.
Wearing velvet robes and a plumed hat, the Queen, who is sovereign of the order, waved from her chauffeur-driven car to the waiting crowds outside Windsor Castle.
Today’s ceremony is part of a 700-year tradition founded by Edward III in 1348, and honours those who have been knighted in recognition of their public service.
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 Queen (pictured arriving in her chauffeur-driven car) has been joined by other senior royals as she led celebrations at the annual Order of the Garter today
Her Majesty was joined by her son Prince Charles and grandson Prince William (left) to take part in the 700-year-old tradition, as did Princess Anne (shown right)
Her Majesty arrived at the chapel by state limousine while the majority of members of the order processed through the grounds of the castle to the event
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrives to attend the Most Noble Order of the Garter Ceremony at St George’s Chapel, where she was joined by the Queen’s daughter Princess Anne
The Queen and Prince Charles, as sovereign and heir, are automatically given membership of the Order and are considered ‘ex officio knights’ with the power to admit new members.
Two appointments are being made in today’s ceremony, due to two current vacancies in the order following the deaths of Sir Ninian Stephen and Sir William Gladstone since the previous ceremony in 2017.
Lady Companion, Dame Mary Fagan, and a Knight Companion, The Viscount Brookeborough, will be invested with the Order’s insignia by the Queen.
The Garter is open to British and Commonwealth citizens, with former Prime Minister Sir John Major and Lord Sainsbury numbered among the 23 current members.
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 also Knights of the Garter.
There are also two orders of ‘extra’ knights. Members of the Royal Knights and Ladies include Prince Philip, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, Prince Charles, the Princess Royal and Prince William.
Prince Charles, in his role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Garter and Prince William, whose role is a Knight Companion
The Queen and Prince Charles, as sovereign and heir, are automatically given membership of the Order and are considered ‘ex officio knights’ with the power to admit new members
The Queen, who is sovereign of the order, arrived at the chapel by state limousine while the majority of members of the order, including the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge, processed through the grounds of the castle to the event
The Duchess of Cornwall (left) and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, (right) looked resplendent in their A-line dresses and bespoke hats
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent (front left), Princess Anne, Princess Royal (front right), Prince Andrew, Duke of York (centre), Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (back left) and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (back right)
The Order of the Garter is the senior and oldest British Order of Chivalry, founded by Edward III in 1348. The Garter ceremonial dates from 1948, when formal installation was revived by King George VI for the first time since 1805
Adoring crowds waited patiently in the sun this afternoon for the official ceremony to start and for the arrival of Her Majesty
Guards of the Blues and Royals regiment and the military band march around the crowds waiting for Royal family and The Knights of the Garter to arrive
The Order of the Garter is the senior and oldest British Order of Chivalry, founded by Edward III in 1348. The Garter ceremonial dates from 1948, when formal installation was revived by King George VI for the first time since 1805