Many royals have gathered today for the Garter Day occasion in Windsor. King Charles and Queen Camilla looked happy to be at the event, leading the celebrations with full pomp and pageantry.
The Order of the Garter
The Order of the Garter, the oldest order of chivalry in the United Kingdom, is the most senior knighthood in the British honours system, outranked only by the Victoria Cross and the George Cross. Established by King Edward III on St George's Day (April 23) in 1348, the ceremony has continued every year for 678 years.
Knights and Ladies of the Garter wear ceremonial robes and Tudor bonnets with ostrich feather plumes, attending a service at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle before processing around the grounds. It is one of the biggest royal events in the annual calendar.
Royals in Attendance
King Charles and Queen Camilla have led the event today, with other senior royals also present. The Prince and Princess of Wales, who attend every year, stepped out today. Princess Anne, Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince Edward, Duchess Sophie, and the Duke of Kent have also been spotted. Other royals in attendance include the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Prince Andrew's Absence
Unsurprisingly, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was not present at today's events, marking the first time he has been snubbed from the Garter Day celebrations.
Recent Royal Gatherings
The Garter Day celebrations come just two days after the royals gathered on Saturday for Trooping the Colour, held to mark the monarch’s official birthday. That event saw senior royals gather on the Buckingham Palace balcony for an RAF flypast, with the Red Arrows taking to the sky. The family also took part in a military parade, with some royals on horseback and others in carriages waving at the public lining the streets outside Buckingham Palace.
The royals all looked delighted to be out in the sunshine for both events.
