The King and Queen, the Prince of Wales and other members of the royal family have taken part in the annual Garter Day service at Windsor Castle today, 17 June, 2024 - but despite her appearance at the Trooping the Colour, the Princess of Wales was absent from the ceremony.
The celebration commemorating the ancient Order of the Garter traditionally takes place on the Monday after the Birthday Parade and on the day before the commencement of Royal Ascot week, as the busy royal summer period begins in earnest.
Today, members of the royal family who are Ladies and Knights of the Order of the Garter – the country's oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry – processed down the hill from the Berkshire castle's State Apartments to St George's Chapel, dressed in white ostrich feather plumed hats and dark blue velvet robes. They include the Duke of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, and the Duke of Gloucester.
The procession was watched by crowds of onlookers, which included the Duchess of Edinburgh, who in other years has been joined by the Princess of Wales. After the ceremony, the King and Queen Camilla and members of the royal family departed by carriage and returned to the castle.
The Duchess of Gloucester was invested today as a Royal Lady of the Garter. The former Birgitte van Deurs, 77, has been a member of the Royal Family since marrying Prince Richard, King George V's youngest grandson, in 1972.
Lord Lloyd-Webber, the composer and impresario, Lord Kakkar, emeritus professor of surgery at University College London and Air Chief Marshal the Lord Peach, were installed as Knight Companion. Founded in 1348 by King Edward III, the Order of the Garter is awarded by the sovereign for outstanding public service and achievement.
It is limited to 24 Knights or Ladies Companion, in addition to the King and the Prince of Wales and several "supernumerary members", including some foreign monarchs such as the Emperor of Japan, the King of Spain, the King of Norway, the King of Sweden, Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, her son, the King of the Netherlands and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. Recipients of the honour are chosen because they have held public office, contributed to national life or served the sovereign personally.
The appointment of Knights and Ladies of the Garter is the King's gift and is made without consulting ministers. The investing of new companions with the Order's Insignia is a key feature of the annual ceremony and is done by the monarch.
The Pages of Honour in attendance on the King and Queen were the Hon Guy Aylmer George Tryon, son and heir of the 4th Baron Tryon, and Charles Hugh Valentine van Cutsem.
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