The British Royal Family has a busy summer schedule as its marks many of the Royal firsts of the new reign of King Charles III. After Saturday’s glorious Trooping the Colour Parade – the first official birthday celebration of King Charles III, The Royals were out in force at Windsor Castle where they attended the annual ‘Order of the Garter Service’.
The annual Garter Day procession, where The King and the Knights process in grand velvet robes, glistening insignia and plumed hats, is one of the most traditional ceremonies in the Royal calendar. The Procession is accompanied by a marching band and Officers of the Order, all in grand ceremonial dress.
The Princess of Wales and Duchess of Edinburgh arrive for the annual Garter Day ceremony at Windsor Castle pic.twitter.com/e6WIqcb2JG
— India McTaggart (@indiamctaggart) June 19, 2023
Today’s service was also the first Garter service of King Charles III’s reign – who ascended to the throne in September 2022 after the demise of Queen Elizabeth II. The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain. Each year, it is celebrated with a procession and service on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The day begins with the Sovereign formally investing any new Companions with the Order’s insignia in the Throne Room of the Castle. The members and officers attend a lunch hosted by the Sovereign, and then all process on foot to 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.
The Order of Garter Service dates back to medieval times with the motto ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense (Shame on him who thinks this evil)’ . 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 in 1348 to recognize courage and loyalty. 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 modern version of the Order of the Garter includes The King, who is the Sovereign of the Garter, several senior Members of the Royal Family, and twenty-four knights chosen in recognition of their work. The Knights, now both male and female, used to be limited to aristocracy, and 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 famous names included in the list are Marshal of the RAF, Lord Stirrup, and former Prime Ministers Sir John Major and Sir Winston Churchill.
Windsor is set to welcome the Order of the Garter…#GarterDay pic.twitter.com/BSmE3KrDb9
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 19, 2023
The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal are the present Royal members of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. The inclusion in the Order is for a lifetime. 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).
St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle is the spiritual home of the Order. Knights have their own stall, with the bearer’s banner, crest, helmet & sword displayed above, reminiscent of the Order’s chivalric origins. These items are removed upon death, but the stall plate remains. These ‘achievements’ are taken down on the knight’s death and the insignia are returned to the Sovereign. The stall plates remain as a memorial and these now form one of the finest collections of heraldry in the world.
You might remember the 2019 service that was a knockout one with the presence of 3 Queens, 2 Kings, 1 heir, and many Dukes and Duchesses along with other royals. King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain and King Willem-Alexander, and Queen Maxima joined the British Royal Family for the historical event.
What The Princess of Wales, Catherine, wore to the Order of Garter Service in 2023
- Dress: Alessandra Rich Polka Dot Dress
- Hat: Philip Treacy Hat
- Earrings: Princess Diana’s Collingwood Pearl and Diamond Earrings
- Bracelet: Triple Strand Pearl Bracelet
- Shoes: Alessandra Rich Fab Two-Tone Pumps in White
The Princess of Wales’s look of the day is very similar to her 2022 Royal Ascot outfit. For one second I thought it was a repeat. But turns out the dress is a new one at least to us with a similar looking hat with different feathers on it.
Here is a look at the 2022 Royal ascot outfit.
Catherine, The Princess of Wales has attended the Order of Garter service regularly since 2019. Prince William was appointed in 2008 and that year was Catherine’s first appearance at one of the most important events of the Royal Calendar. It was also Catherine’s first public appearance as a Royal girlfriend with the royal family.
The 2020 and 2021 service was cancelled due to the pandemic. In 2022 The then-Duchess of Cambridge chose a blue outfit that included a blue Alexander McQueen Coat dress, Juliette Botterill Floral Leaf Teardrop hat, G. Collins & Sons Tanzanite Earrings and Pendant Necklace, Jenny Packham Blue Clutch and Aquazzura Love Link Sling 105 pumps.
