GB News was brought to a halt for a breaking alert concerning the Royal Family – and in particular Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. As the royals gathered at Windsor Castle for the annual Order of the Garter ceremony, with three new Knights of the Garter introduced by King Charles, it marked the first time since 2006 that the former Duke of York was not in attendance.
Royal correspondent Cameron Walker was live at the scene and told viewers: “The Knights of the Garter have joined members of the Royal Family inside the Garter Throne Room in the upper ward of Windsor Castle, ahead of this procession where they will march down to the lower ward, where I am, to St George’s Chapel for that special annual service. Members of the public have had to apply for tickets to be part of that public ballot, to be inside the grounds to watch them process in their big feather-bloomed hats and their beautiful velvet cloaks.”
He went on to explain: “King Charles, of course, as head of state and as sovereign, gets to choose who the Knights of the Garter are, it’s in the sovereign’s gifts. There’s three additions this year – Lord Hennessey of Nympsfield, a historian, Lord O’Donnell and Baron Burnett. They are being invested by His Majesty right now inside that throne room.”
However, he added: “Other familiar faces, of course – Tony Blair, for instance. John Major, former prime ministers. But also composers such as Andrew Lloyd Webber. A notable absentee this year, however, for the first time since 2006 actually, is Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, who was officially stripped of his Knight Companion title in December 2025 by King Charles, due to the controversy surrounding him.”
The Order of the Garter, the most noble and oldest order of chivalry in Britain, dates back to the time of Edward III, around 700 years ago, inspired by the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. This year's ceremony marked a historic moment as the Royal Family adjusted to the absence of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, whose title was removed amid ongoing controversy.
