Prince Andrew was seen driving his car towards Windsor Castle, where the royals’ annual Garter Day is taking place this afternoon – but the disgraced Duke of York has not taken part in the procession for the past four years
Prince Andrew has been spotted heading to Windsor Castle for the annual Garter Day – despite not being expected to take part in its public procession. The disgraced Duke of York was seen in a shirt and tie driving his car towards the castle for the ancient Order of the Garter ceremony as the Royal Family’s summer season began in earnest.
The day sees those in the order gather for lunch at the castle before a procession takes place through the castle grounds that sees members dressed in white plumed hats and dark blue velvet robes. Andrew is a member of the order alongside King Charles, Queen Camilla and Prince William and is believed to be joining the annual lunch and investiture, which takes place behind closed doors.
However, he is not expected to take part in the public procession throught the castle grounds – having been banished from it for the past four years. Andrew stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Since the 2022 Garter Day, the last one observed by the late Queen, he has not taken part in the public procession wearing the Garter robes and plumed hat.
The Duke of York was last seen taking part in a public royal event earlier this year when he joined the Firm for their annual Easter Sunday church service at St George’s Chapel.
He had previously missed the royals’ Christmas celebrations at Sandringham at the end of last year following a scandal involving an alleged Chinese spy. The decision was reportedly made to avoid causing further embarrassment for the King and the monarchy.
The Most Noble Order of the Garter is the oldest British order of chivalry and the world’s oldest national order of knighthood still in existence. It was established by King Edward III nearly 700 years ago.
Members of the Order include the King, several senior royals and other Knights or Ladies, who are personally chosen by the monarch for recognition of their work. They include former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and John Major as well as Baroness Amos.
It is limited to 24 Knights or Ladies Companion, in addition to the King and the Prince of Wales and several “supernumerary members”, including some foreign monarchs such as the King of Spain and the King of the Netherlands.
Recipients of the honour are chosen because they have held public office, contributed to national life or served the sovereign personally.
The appointment of Knights and Ladies of the Garter is in the King’s gift and is made without consulting ministers. After the service, the royals take part in a traditional carriage procession back up the hill to Windsor Castle.
The ceremony heralds a busy period for the royals, with the King and Queen expected at Royal Ascot in the coming days, and early next month they will host a state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron.
