On Monday, the British Royal Family gathered at Windsor Castle for the traditional meeting of the Order of the Garter. King Charles III (77) and Queen Camilla (78) took part in the ceremonial procession alongside the Knights of the Garter, accompanied by, among others, heir to the throne Prince William (43), Prince Edward (62), and Princess Anne (75), as reported by the British "Express", among others.
Before the ceremonial service at St. George's Chapel, the family came together for a joint luncheon. Subsequently, the procession made its way down the hill in the magnificent velvet robes and characteristic feathered hats of the Order, accompanied by troops of the "Household Division", which is responsible for ceremonies in Windsor and London. Members of the King's bodyguard, including the "Corps of Gentlemen", the "Yeoman Guards", and the "Yeoman Warders" (Beefeaters), were also present in accordance with tradition. More than 4,400 ticket-holding spectators lined the route.
Three new knights inducted
Earlier in the morning, the King had inducted three new members into the Order in the castle's Throne Room. Peter Hennessy, Baron Hennessy of Nympsfield (79), a historian and former journalist; Ian Burnett, Baron Burnett of Maldon (68), who served as Lord Chief Justice of England from 2017 to 2023 and thus was the country's highest-ranking judge; and Augustine "Gus" Thomas O'Donnell, Baron O'Donnell (73), who served as Cabinet Secretary (Britain's highest-ranking civil servant) from 2005 to 2011, were each appointed Knight Companions.
The "Order of the Garter" was founded by King Edward III (1312-1377) in 1348, allegedly inspired by the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The Order of the Garter remains to this day the oldest and highest British order of chivalry. In the hierarchy of British honors, it is surpassed only by the Victoria Cross and the George Cross.
King Charles is the "Sovereign of the Garter", heir to the throne Prince William is referred to as "Royal Knight Companion of the Garter". In addition to several high-ranking members of the Royal Family, a maximum of 24 additional "Knights and Ladies Companions" are admitted to the Order as members, currently including former Prime Ministers Tony Blair (73) and John Major (83).
Princess Kate watches the spectacle from the sidelines
The Princess of Wales (44) is not a member of the Order and therefore observed the procession from the sidelines, at the traditional viewing point Galilee Porch. Standing by her side was the Duchess of Edinburgh (61). Both women chatted animatedly and curtsied as the King and Queen passed by them with smiles.
Kate had chosen a cream-colored coat dress with a matching hat for her appearance. Queen Camilla, in turn, wore a white chiffon dress under her Order robe. On the return journey to the castle, the Princess of Wales had to hold onto her wide-brimmed hat in the open carriage to prevent it from flying away. William's wife drew many eyes from those present on that magnificent day.
