The Princess of Wales joined the rest of the Royal Family and watched the annual Garter Day procession at Windsor Castle after being forced to miss the event last year due to her cancer treatment
The Princess of Wales made a huge return to the royals’ annual Garter Day event after missing last years due to her cancer treatment. Kate dazzled in a recycled white Self Portrait dress and hat by Sean Barrett as she proudly watched Prince William, along with King Charles and Queen Camilla, take part in one of the the most colourful events of the royal calendar.
It sees royals and others donning the grand velvet robes and plumed hats for a procession from the castle to St George’s Chapel for a private service before they return in horse-drawn carriages. Kate watched the procession alongside Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, as neither are members of the ancient order, so did not take part.
However, the pair could be seen smiling as their husband William and Prince Edward processed from the castle to St George’s Chapel in the robes and hats with the King and Queen as well as Princess Anne. Kate missed attending the annual event last year as it came as she was still undergoing cancer treatment, despite attending last year’s Trooping the Colour just a day earlier.
One royal missing from today’s procession was Prince Andrew, who despite being a member of the order has not taken part in the public procession for the last four years.
However, he was seen earlier today dressed in a shirt and tie driving to Windsor Castle for the event, where he was believed to have take part in the event’s the annual lunch and investiture, which takes place behind closed doors.
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.
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.
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