Monday marked another momentous occasion for the royal family as King Charles led his first Garter Day service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
Charles, 74, was joined by his wife, Queen Camilla, 75, as well as the Princess Royal, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
The royals walked in procession to the Chapel, and after the service, departed by carriages for their return journey to the Castle.
The Princess of Wales, 41, and the Duchess of Edinburgh, 58, were pictured chatting and laughing animatedly as they arrived at the service.
Kate looked stunning in a bespoke polka dot dress by Alessandra Rich featuring a high neckline, long sleeves and a cinched-in waist. She completed her look with a statement Philip Treacy hat and Princess Diana’s Collingwood Pearl Drop Earrings.
Sophie, meanwhile, looked lovely in a floral A-line dress by Emilia Wickstead adorned with bright, magenta flowers. The Duchess teamed her stunning garment with a pink Jane Taylor headpiece, a clutch bag and pointed heels. Sublime!
The Duke of Kent, Princess Anne, the Duke of Gloucester, Princess Alexandra and the Duke of Edinburgh are members of the Garter.
Prince William made history when he was appointed in 2008 as he became the 1,000th Knight of the Garter.
And while the Duke of York is a Knight of the Garter, like last year, Prince Andrew attended the lunch but not the ceremony.
Prince Andrew stepped down as a working member of the royal family in November 2019 following his controversial TV interview with BBC Newsnight. Meanwhile, in January 2022, the late Queen Elizabeth II stripped Andrew of his honorary military roles.
The late Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin, Princess Alexandra, 86, did not attend Monday’s service “for her comfort”.
During the service, the Baroness Ashton of Upholland GCMG was installed as a Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and the Lord Patten of Barnes CH was installed as a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
