Monday 13 June 2022 03:34 PM Members of the royal family arrive at Windsor Castle for Garter Day trends now
The Duchess of Cambridge was elegant in a vibrant blue coat dress as she lead the royal family as they arrived at Windsor Castle today ahead of Garter Day celebrations.
Kate Middleton, 40, cut a chic figure in a stunning coat dress and matching £560 Juliette Botterill hat as she joined fellow royals including the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince William for the occasion, which is one of the most colourful events in the royal calendar.
She opted for a stunning £8,400 G. Collins & Sons tanzanite pendant necklace for the occasion, which she has worn on a number of occasion. She paired the stunning jewel with matching £6,100 earrings.
Meanwhile the Countess of Wessex was pretty in a pink Valentino gown as she arrived at St George's Chapel earlier today.
Among the first arrivals were the Duchess of Cornwall's son Tom Parker Bowles and his sister Laura Lopes, who were beaming as they waited outside the church in Windsor earlier this afternoon.
The mother-of-three, 40, looked stylish in a vibrant blue dress, which she paired with a navy fascinator and a colourful rainbow clutch.
The siblings are in attendance as they prepare to watch Her Majesty the Queen do the formal investiture of the new Garter knights which includes their mother Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
New appointments are announced on St George's Day but the chivalric and installation ceremonies take place every year on the Monday of Royal Ascot week, known as Garter Day.
It comes as Prince Andrew looked downcast as he drove to Windsor Castle after being banned from appearing in public at this afternoon's Order of the Garter event by senior royals believed to include his mother, Prince Charles and Prince William.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 40, was elegant in a vibrant blue coat dress as she lead the royal family as they arrived at Windsor Castle today ahead of Garter Day celebrations
Meanwhile the Countess of Wessex was pretty in a pink Valentino gown as she arrived at St George's Chapel earlier today
Kate Middleton, 40, cut a chic figure in a stunning coat dress and matching £560 Juliette Botterill hat as she joined fellow royals including the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince William for the occasion, which is one of the most colourful events in the royal calendar
Crowds gathered at St George's Chapel in Windsor ahead of the big event this afternoon, which will see a number of royals in attendance
Mother-of-three Kate swept her hair from her face as she arrived at the event, and showed off her natural beauty with a simple make-up look, pairing a light layer of foundation with smokey brown eye and pink lipstick.
She has worn her dazzling jewelled earrings and necklace from G. Collins & Sons on a number of occasions in the past, including having dinner with President Obama at Kensington Palace in 2016 and while visiting The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), and the Nursing Now campaign in 2018.
Adding even more height to her figure, Kate opted for a pair of £810 Aquazzura heels in blueberry. Made in Italy, the shoes feature a towering style that narrows into a sharp pointy toe and are finished with a glossy, heart-shaped chain at the heel.
Meanwhile Sophie also opted to sweep her hair up into an intricate up-do, donning a cream white fascinator for the occasion.
The Duchess of Cornwall was elegant in a floor length white gown for the outing today, which she paired with white gloves and nude shoes
The royal was joined by Prince Charles during the parade earlier today as the pair arrived for the Order of the Garter Service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle
Prince William's appearance comes amid reports he and his father Prince Charles asked the Queen not to give in to his uncle Prince Andrew, who is reportedly pushing for a return to royal duties
The Duke of Cambridge walked alongside Prince Edward as they attended the Garter Day earlier this afternoon at Windsor Castle
Meanwhile the Queen's only daughter Princess Anne beamed as she attended the event alongside her siblings Prince Charles and Prince Edward
The Duchess of Cornwall was in high spirits as she arrived at the event at Windsor Castle earlier this afternoon (left). She was joined by her husband Prince Charles (right)
The Duchess of Cornwall opted for a sweeping white gown for the occasion, which she paired with tanned stiletto heels (pictured)
The royal couple appeared in high spirits as they walked through the grounds outside St George's Chapel ahead of the service today (left) . Meanwhile Sophie Wessex and Kate Middleton watched on (right)
The procession walks to St George's Chapel for the Order of the Garter service at Windsor Castle, in Windsor
This year Prince Charles' wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall (pictured), former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former leader of the British House of Lords Baroness Amos were all installed in the Order
The Duchess of Cornwall arrived alongside the Prince of Wales at the event this afternoon (left), while ex-PM Tony Blair was also in attendance (right)
Among those who are being made new members of the Order of the Garter - include the Duchess of Cornwall and ex PM Tony Blair (pictured, walking toward the ceremony today)
Camilla's daughter Laura also opted for blue for the royal outing, donning an elegant floor-length vibrant blue gown for the occasion.
Although she prefers stays out of the spotlight, Laura enjoys a warm relationship with her step-brothers Prince William and Prince Harry, who both made a big effort to attend her wedding to to former Calvin Klein underwear model Harry in 2006.
In fact, Laura's daughter Eliza was a flower girl to William and Kate when they wed in 2011.
Laura is a graduate of History of Art and Marketing from Oxford Brookes, and has pursued a career in gallery management, as well as a stint as motoring correspondent for Tatler in 2001.
Meanwhile the Duchess of Cambridge donned a baby blue coat dress for the occasion, which she paired with an elegant fascinator
Mother-of-three Kate swept her hair from her face as she arrived at the event, and showed off her natural beauty with a simple make-up look, pairing a light layer of foundation with smokey brown eye and pink lipstick
The Duchess shared a laugh with the Countess of Wessex at the occasion earlier this afternoon in Windsor
Stepping out of a car as she arrived at St George's Chapel this afternoon, the mother-of-three was elegant in her blue ensemble (pictured left and right)
In 2005, she co-founded the Eleven Gallery in Belgravia with Charlie Phillips and prefers to concentrate on her career and motherhood than courting the limelight.
Her husband Harry comes from suitably aristocratic stock as both his grandfathers were barons. He will one day inherit Gnaton Hall, near Plymouth and the 3,000-acre Skelpick estate in the Scottish Highlands.
Recipients of the honour today chosen because they have held public office, contributed to national life or served the sovereign personally.
Among the first arrivals were the Duchess of Cornwall 's son Tom Parker Bowles and his sister Laura Lopes, who were snapped as they waited outside the church in Windsor earlier this afternoon
The writer was beaming alongside his sister Laura Lopes as they waited outside the church in Windsor earlier this afternoon. The mother-of-three, 40, looked stylish in a vibrant blue dress, which she paired with a navy fascinator and a colourful rainbow clutch (left and right)
The appointment of Knights of the Garter is in the Queen's gift and is made without consulting ministers.
The Queen is sovereign of the order and a number of other British and foreign royals are additional members of the order.
It comes after Buckingham Palace said The Duke of York's absence from the Windsor Castle procession and service was a 'family decision' amid fears that he might be booed over his links to Jeffrey Epstein and alleged abuse of one of his 'sex slaves'.
Andrew will not be seen in public during Garter Day, one of the most colourful events in the royal calendar, after the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge reportedly lobbied the Queen about his participation. The decision was clearly taken at the 11th hour, because Andrew's name remains on the order of service.
The Queen intends to do the formal investiture of the new Garter knights including Tony Blair and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (pictured Cherie Blair at the event)
Tony and Cherie's children Euan, Katherine and Nicky Blair also waited outside the chapel in Windsor ahead of meeting their parents
As the royals arrived at Windsor Castle for the event today, Beefeaters were seen marching through the street
A palace insider said that the decision to exclude Andrew from the public elements of today's Garter Day was a 'family decision'. While a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: 'The Duke of York will attend the investiture and lunch today but will not be part of the procession or service.'
But he will still be allowed to join the Queen at the formal investiture of new members of the Order of the Garter - including the Duchess of Cornwall and ex PM Tony Blair - and as well as the lunch afterwards.
Her Majesty will also miss the procession and service, due to her ongoing mobility problems - but intends to do the formal investiture of the new Garter knights including Tony Blair and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
It came amid reports that Andrew has pushed for a return to royal duties but his older brother Prince Charles and nephew Prince William had asked the Queen not to give in to the disgraced royal. Her Majesty apparently informed him to keep out of sight 'for his own good'.
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
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 Philip, 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.
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Snubbed Prince Andrew heads to Windsor for lunch with Queen after royals made eleventh-hour 'family decision' to hide him from public view at today's Order of the Garter ceremony amid fears he will be booed
The Duke of York – who missed the Jubilee celebrations a week ago because he had Covid – dramatically pulled out of today's Order of the Garter ceremony, despite being a member of the ancient order of chivalry.
Charles and William were said to have blocked Andrew from appearing at today's Order of the Garter ceremony after lobbying the Queen, according to The Sun.
Andrew, 62, was stripped of his official duties at the start of the year as he prepared to pay a multi-million-pound settlement to Jeffrey Epstein's sex slave Virginia Roberts Giuffre to keep her allegations of sexual abuse, which he denies, out of court.
In a last-minute U-turn, the prince backed out of attending public aspects of the annual ceremony at Windsor. He will still attend a private lunch with the Queen and other members of the order.
Buckingham Palace had insisted that Andrew would attend the ceremony, because the honour was given to him in a personal capacity by the Queen.
But behind the scenes there was deep concern about the spectacle of the shamed prince walking in his robes in public. There were also fears he could be booed. The Queen is reported to have asked him to stay out of public sight and only attend private elements of today's event. It also appears that his wish to represent her at Royal Ascot has been binned.
But despite this he remains ninth in line to the throne - and a Counsellor of State - meaning he will stand in for the Queen if she is incapacitated and Charles and William are abroad.
Prince Andrew lives in the grounds of Windsor Castle and is said to have daily contact with his mother.
Weeks after she stripped him of his titles, the Queen asked him to accompany her to Prince Philip's memorial service at Westminster Abbey in March, where he walked his mother down the aisle in a highly symbolic moment.
Prince Andrew drives from his Windsor home to the castle for the private elements of the Order of the Garter ceremony after being banned from the public parts
ITV has uncovered the order of service for today, which shows the Duke of York is still listed, but has now been told not to attend
Prince Andrew is seen leaving Windsor today as he is said to be pushing for a return to royal duties. The Queen is said to have told him to keep out of sight 'for his own good'. She will knight Tony Blair today
Andrew took a central role in escorting his mother to the Duke of Edinburgh's memorial service at Westminster Abbey in March
The Duke of York is said to have lobbied the Queen for his former status to be restored and to be allowed back to official events. He also wants his ceremonial role as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards reinstated
But palace aides - as well as his relatives - are said to have been clear that the strength of public feeling against over his links to Epstein, must preclude him from taking part in frontline royal duties.
Despite his non-appearance today, the duke believes he should be included in other royal and state events, The Daily Telegraph reported.
'The colonelcy of the Grenadier Guards was his most coveted title and he wants it back,' a source said.
'Having remained a Counsellor of State, he also believes he should be included at royal and state events. Most importantly for him is his status as an HRH and 'Prince of the Blood' and he feels that should be reinstated and his position recognised and respected.'
The Palace and Andrew's spokesman last night declined to comment on the claims. But one royal insider suggested that, whether he had asked or not, there should be no expectation of being welcomed back.
The insider said the duke could 'lobby all he wanted, if indeed he has, but whether he would ever get anything back is an entirely different matter'.
An aide said the statement from January in which he was stripped of his roles 'with the Queen's approval and agreement', still 'speaks for itself'.
Prince Charles is understood to be prominent among those who feel he must be kept at arm's length to avoid damaging the entire institution of the British monarchy.
Andrew became Colonel of the Grenadier Guards five years ago after his father, Prince Philip, stepped back from public life – and is said to have particularly enjoyed the role.
It is claimed he wanted to wear the formal uniform of the rank at the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral last year, prompting a decision that all royal men would wear civilian morning coats to avoid any embarrassment.
A royal source said at the weekend that the 'Andrew problem' needed fixing. Another source told The Mail on Sunday: 'Clearly at some point soon, thought will have to be given as to how to support the duke as, [away] from the public gaze, he seeks slowly to rebuild his life in a different direction.'
There was the suggestion that one option could see the duke spending more time in Scotland but a full-time move there is thought to be unlikely.
Royal biographer Angela Levin said: 'Andrew should be ashamed of himself.
'His demand to return to duty was outrageous. It clearly showed he was not concerned about what happened with his court case.
'He was not found guilty - but, my goodness, there is a massive amount of grubbiness surrounding him.'
Prince Andrew has denied the allegations.
It was previously reported that The Queen has been holding secret talks with the Duke of York and senior members of the Royal Family about how they can help Prince Andrew rebuild his life 'away from the public gaze'.
The Queen has held family meetings at Windsor Castle to establish what role the Duke could fulfil that would be acceptable to the public.
'Clearly at some point soon, thought will have to be given as to how to support the Duke as, away from the public gaze, he seeks slowly to rebuild his life in a different direction,' said the senior Palace source.
While it is understood that Andrew is determined to keep his Royal Lodge estate, one option could be for him to rebuild his life in Scotland.
The Palace source added: 'There is, of course, a real awareness and sensitivity to public feelings. There is also recognition that the task of starting to support him as he begins to rebuild his life will be the first step on a long road and one that should not be played out every day in the glare of the public spotlight.'
It comes as William and Kate are set to swap the hustle and bustle of London to take up residence in leafy Berkshire, according to reports.
It is claimed that The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are set to move to a house on the Queen's Windsor estate this summer - leaving behind Kensington Palace as their main residence.
According to The Sunday Times, the couple are set to take their son Prince George, 8, and daughter Princess Charlotte, 7, out of their current prep school in Battersea at the end of the school year.
George and Charlotte will then join their younger brother, Prince Louis, 4, at a new school in Berkshire in September, the paper reports.
William is set to turn 40 this week. The royal is reported to have joked privately that he is finding it 'so daunting'.
The move will see William and Kate leave Kensington Palace, which has been their main residence since 2017.
