Catherine stuns for second time in two days as royals gather for Order of the Garter
Just two days after wowing royal fans with their appearance at the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony, the British royals have gathered again for a ceremony steeped in history.
The Order of the Garter is celebrated each year in the grounds of Windsor Castle as part of a ceremony that dates back to 1348. And this year’s did not disappoint, with King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales and other senior members of the royal family leading the event.
The Princess of Wales stuns at the Order of the Garter service. Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images
The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry held in Britain, and includes a procession and service in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The day began in the throne room of the castle, where the King formally invested new companions with the order’s insignia.
They then attended a service in St George’s Chapel before a grand procession.
Only members of the royal family who have been appointed Knight Companions of the Order are permitted to wear the velvet robes and plumed hats.
Prince William, his uncle, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, are all Knight Companions of the Order and therefore wore the robes.
Neither the Princess of Wales nor Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, have been admitted to the order, which is capped at 24 living members.
Instead, they were invited to watch the proceedings as guests.
The King and Queen arrive for the annual Order of the Garter Service. Toby Shepheard/WPA Pool/Getty Images
Catherine attended the event last year but missed 2024 as she was having cancer treatment.
For this year’s event, the Princess of Wales wore a Patrick McDowell coat dress made from a Jacquard style of fabric that had been woven for her.
A peek of white tulle skirt could be seen under the coat.
She paired it with a matching wide-brimmed Jane Taylor hat in a large boater style, similar to one she wore to the recent wedding of Peter Phillips to Harriet Sperling.
She also wore the diamond earrings that were a gift from her parents for her wedding to Prince William in 2011.
Catherine with Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, at the annual service. Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The Prince and Princess of Wales depart Windsor Castle by carriage after the service. Aaron Chown/WPA Pool/Getty Images
She watched the proceedings alongside Sophie, who was wearing floral dress by one of her favourite designers, Suzannah London, which she paired with a pink and cream Jane Taylor hat.
Catherine then hopped into a carriage alongside Prince William for the traditional carriage ride.
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