Royals

The Queen steps out in full royal regalia for Order of the Garter ceremony

Jun 19, 2018

The Queen arrived alongside the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. Source: Getty.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was all smiles as she stepped out in full royal regalia for the annual Order of the Garter service at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

The 92-year-old monarch, who is sovereign of the order, was joined by all four of her children at the historic event, which honours those who have been knighted for their services to the kingdom.

Queen Elizabeth looked delighted and waved to the crowds, as she rode in an open-top horse-drawn carriage alongside heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.

The service displayed the full pomp and ceremony of the British Royal family as the Queen donned the traditional blue velvet garter robes and black hat with white plumes, for the prestigious ceremony at the chapel where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle said their vows last month.

The Queen in full Garter robes. Source: Getty.

The Military Knights of Windsor kicked off the ceremony on Monday with a procession through the grounds of Windsor, dressed in full military uniform, as crowds gathered in the castle grounds to mark the annual celebration.

The Garter Knights then processed, wearing lavish blue velvet robes, known as a mantle, and black velvet hats with white plumes.

The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry and was originally founded in 1348 by King Edward III, who is believed to have drawn inspiration from the Knights of the Round Table.

The Order is made up of 24 Knights and Ladies Companion, eight Royal Knights and Ladies Companion and eight Stranger Knights and Ladies Companion – as well as Members ‘ex officio’, which includes the Queen and Prince Charles.

Royal protocol states that there can be no more than 24 members of the Order at any one time and it is down to the Queen to select and appoint new members, without the need to notify or consult government ministers.

The Duke of Cambridge also attended the ceremony, which is one of the most prestigious in the royal calendar, but his wife the Duchess of Cambridge was missing from the event as she is still on maternity leave following the birth of their third child, Prince Louis.

Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex were not present for the day’s festivities as they are not members of the Order of the Garter, unlike Prince William who was made a Royal Knight in 2008.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, was also in attendance along with her husband, the Queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward, and his brother and sister Prince Andrew and Princess Anne.