Royals arrive for historic Order of the Garter procession as thousands of fans line the route

King Charles and Queen Camilla today led the Royal Family in attending the historic Order of the Garter procession at Windsor’s St George’s Chapel.

The resplendent royal couple beamed as they wore stunning traditional robes and plumed hats at the ceremony. 

Watched by the Princess of Wales – elegant in a spotted Alessandra Rich dress and Philip Treacy hat – with the Duchesses of Edinburgh and Gloucester from the sidelines, the King, Queen, Prince of Wales and other senior royals, made their way down to the Lower Ward in brilliant sunshine and blues skies. 

Founded by Edward III some 700 years ago, who was inspired by tales of King Arthur and his round table, the modern day Order includes The King, who is Sovereign of the Garter, senior Members of the Royal Family, and a maximum of twenty-four knights chosen personally by the Sovereign to honour those who have held public office, or who have contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally. 

The beleaguered Duke of York – now a non-working royal – also attended the lunch in his role as a Royal Knight Companion but, as last year, was not permitted to join the procession. 

During one touching moment, Kate – who was the first to arrive – and Sophie were both seen beaming with delight when they spotted their respective husbands. 

There was drama too when a member of the Household Cavalry fainted and had to be helped back to his feet by a police officer. 

Kate wore Collingwood drop pearl earrings first owned by Princess Diana that she has used on previous occasions.

She also opted for a chic black-and-white spotty midi dress by Alessandra Rich, which featured voluminous sleeves with dainty button detailing.

Catherine, Princess of Wales and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh react as they arrive at St George’s Chapel

Catherine, Princess of Wales waves as she arrives at St George’s Chapel to attend the Most Noble Order of the Garter Ceremony in Windsor Castle

Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh and Prince William, Prince of Wales arrive at St George’s Chapel

Her black-and-white hat – featuring feathering which perfectly matched the print of her dress – was by her go-to designer Philip Treacy.

At 2.45pm the grand procession began to make its way down to the chapel from the castle quadrangle before the 3pm service.

It was headed by the Governor of Windsor Castle and the Military Knights of Windsor followed by heralds and then the knights of the order themselves including Sir John Major and Baroness Manningham-Buller.

An assembled crowd of 2,900 members of the public cheered as the King and Queen waved.

As the King and Queen – sporting a white Bruce Oldfield gown under her blue velvet mantle – arrived at the door to the chapel a fanfare of trumpets was played.

The Duke of Kent, 87, also a Royal Knight Companion, was waiting in the chapel and did not take part in the procession, because of his health.

The procession enters St George’s Chapel for the annual Most Noble Order of the Garter Ceremony in Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Monday June 19

Prince William and Catherine Princess of Wales at Garter Day this afternoon 

The Prince of Wales, The Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke of Edinburgh

King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Prince of Wales and Princess Anne leave St George’s Chapel following today’s ceremony 

The procession saw an extraordinary display of pageantry in the grounds of Windsor Castle 

Guests leave today’s service, which was on honour of the Most Noble Order of the Garter

The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain

Members of the Royal Family stepped into a carriage after leaving the service 

Katherine and William wave to crowds from the carriage 

Baroness Valerie Amos arrives to attend the annual Order of the Garter Service at St George’s Chapel

His sister Princess Alexandra, 86, is also Royal Lady Companion but did not attend for ‘her own comfort’. 

During the Service, the Baroness Ashton of Upholland GCMG was installed as a Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and the Lord Patten of Barnes CH was installed as a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

Afterwards, led by Their Majesties, the royal party returned to the castle in a fleet of Ascot landaus, each drawn by two bays.

The King and Queen were in the first, smiling and waving.

They were followed by William and Kate, who were also cheered by the crowds, and then finally by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh – the later looking summery in an Emelia Wickstead sleeveless dress with a Jane Taylor hat – with the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral, Sir Tim Laurence.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair was also seen going into the prestigious ceremony. 

The Duke of York’s exclusion signals King Charles’ stance towards his embattled brother – banned from many royal events since stepping back as a working royal in 2019.

The procession enters St George’s Chapel for the Order Of The Garter Service at Windsor Castle

There was drama too when a member of the Household Cavalry fainted and had to be helped back to his feet by a police officer

Kate and Sophie were both seen beaming with delight when they spotted their respective husbands

King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at the Order Of The Garter Service at Windsor Castle

The two women were the picture of pride as they saw Princes William and Edward today

Kate dazzled in a white and black spotted dress teamed with peal earrings and ornate headpiece

Members of the Order of the Garter arrive for the annual Most Noble Order of the Garter Ceremony

Lady Mary Elizabeth Peters attends the annual Order of the Garter Service this afternoon

Former Prime Minister Sir John Major attends the annual Order of the Garter Service at St George’s Chapel

Lord Patten of Barnes, centre right, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair arrive for the Order of the Garter service at Windsor Castle

The Princess of Wales Duchess of Edinburgh hold their hats as they arrive at St George’s Chapel to attend the Most Noble Order of the Garter Ceremony in Windsor Castle

A beaming Kate waves to spectators as she arrives at St George’s Chapel today

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at St George’s Chapel to attend the Order Of The Garter Service

Prince William arrives with his uncle Prince Edward as he arrives for today’s Order of the Garter ceremony 

The Princess of Wales laughs as she arrives with the Duchess of Edinburgh at St George’s Chapel

The King is seen arriving for today’s service at St George’s Chapel

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair is joined by other members of the order as he arrives

Princess Anne, the Duke of Gloucester and Prince William are seen after arriving for the service

King Charles and Queen Camilla walk in procession as they arrive for the service

King Charles smiles as he looks at the masses of spectators who have to get a glimpse of the royals 

The Princess of Wales beams in a polka dot dress as she arrives for today’s historic service

Andrew, who is the third child of the late Queen Elizabeth II, is said to be embroiled in a fight over his £30million Windsor home, Royal Lodge, with his elder brother.

The home has been earmarked for the Prince and Princess of Wales, reports say, leaving Buckingham Palace aides desperate to shift Prince Andrew, despite 55 years remaining on his lease.

Last minute interventions by the now King and Prince of Wales prohibited the errant royal from participating in last year’s ceremony – although his name was already printed in the order of service alongside that of Prince Edward.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair arrives at St George’s Chapel to attend the Order Of The Garter Service

The Princess of Wales and Duchess of Edinburgh were among the first to arrive at the event

The Band of the Household Cavalry play as well-wishers look at ahead of the Order Of The Garter Service at Windsor Castle on June 19, 2023 in Windsor

The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain. Knights of the Garter are chosen personally by the Sovereign to honour those who have held public office, contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally

During the service, the Baroness Ashton of Upholland GCMG will be installed as a Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and the Lord Patten of Barnes CH will be installed as a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter

The Most Noble Order of the Garter, which is the oldest British order of chivalry and the oldest national order of knighthood in existence, is limited to 24 Knights or Ladies Companion in addition to the King and Prince of Wales.

It also includes ‘supernumerary members’, including foreign monarchs and other royals, such as Prince Andrew.

In celebration of the first parade of the King’s reign, Queen Camilla has been made a Royal Knight of the Order of the Thistle, Scotland’s greatest order of chivalry, joining the Princess Royal and Princess of Wales, who also hold the honour.

Wellwishers gather ahead of the annual Order of the Garter Service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, Berkshire

The Band of the Household Cavalry play as well-wishers look at ahead of the Order Of The Garter Service at Windsor Castle

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.

Sources told The Telegraph he had not expected a U-turn from the royals on his participation in formal events such as the Garter parade.

It is a further example of the coolness of relations between the Duke of York and his extended family, despite signs that he had been welcomed back to the royal fold.

He appeared with the rest of the family for their Sandringham church trip on Christmas Day and was also seen in Windsor on Easter Sunday.

The prince is facing renewed questions about his relationship with serial sexual abuser and paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after emails emerged suggesting he ‘lied’ in his bombshell BBC interview with Emily Maitlis.

A message written by the late billionaire paedophile and released as part of a court case in the US shows he was presenting Andrew, 63, as a potential investor in 2011, despite the royal claiming to have ended all contact in 2010.

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.