The Princess of Wales was at the Garter Day Service at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, an event she missed last year due to her cancer treatment
Kate Middleton is back at a historic royal occasion after missing the event last year.
The Princess of Wales, 43, smiled in the early summer sunshine on Monday, June 16, as she watched Prince William take part in the parade at Windsor Castle for the Order of the Garter service.
For the first time in two years, Princess Kate took her place among the senior members of the royal family at the annual service, which takes place every year at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle to celebrate the oldest and most senior order of chivalry in Britain. She didn’t attend the event last year, as she remained mostly out of the public eye amid her cancer treatment. In January, the royal mom of three announced she was in remission.
Kate wore an outfit by Self Portrait, a repeat from her royal closet that she recently wore for the VE Day concert in May, with a Sean Barrett hat.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/catherine-princess-of-wales-order-of-the-garter-service-061625-3-1edfc973baaa496ca6451ec40b5f0635.jpg)
However, all eyes were on the eye-catching regalia worn by the members of the Order of the Garter: a blue velvet cape topped with an ostrich-plumed hat.
Prince William, 42, wore the ensemble as he walked down the hill with King Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77.
After the procession, the royals entered the chapel known for hosting royal weddings including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s 2018 nuptials for the service.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/prince-william-order-of-the-garter-service-061625-2-b8f72bfc03da40c69def252093cc46d8.jpg)
Following the service, the royals exited down the steps from the West Door and were taken in carriages back up the hill to Windsor Castle’s state apartments.
The ceremony doesn’t just have ancient roots; it also marked a milestone in William and Kate’s relationship. Kate made her debut at the event in 2008, when William, then her boyfriend, received his knighthood in the Order of the Garter. Wearing an elegant black and white outfit, Kate was spotted at the Galilee Porch door, chatting with Prince Harry and Camilla, as they waited for the service to begin. It was significant that Kate was there as it showed that she was being welcomed into the royal family fold.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/king-charles-queen-camilla-order-of-the-garter-service-061625-1-3bf86ec56dcd4f12aca8c070f8d96232.jpg)
Around 700 years old, the Order has its roots in the reign of King Edward III (who ruled from 1327 to 1377) who, according to the royal family’s website, was so inspired by tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table that he set up his own group of honorable knights called the Order of the Garter.
The Most Noble Order of the Garter is the world’s oldest national order of knighthood. Membership of the order is limited to the monarch, the Prince of Wales, and royals from the U.K. and abroad. There are just 24 Companions, and appointments are at the monarch’s sole discretion to recognize public service or personal service to the sovereign.
The Order of the Garter ceremony is part of a festive summer period for the royals. The service on June 16 came two days after the magnificent celebration of pomp and pageantry at Trooping the Colour, which saw the royal family unite in their military splendor and finery.
The royals will be out in force over the next several days at Royal Ascot, an annual horse race meeting.
On Sunday, William and his children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 appeared in two newly released pictures to mark Father’s Day. “Happy Father’s Day, Papa (before and after!) We love you! G, C & L 💖,” the post said.
