Leading ladies Kate and Sophie arrive for the Order of the Garter ceremony at St George’s Chapel – with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor absent for the first time after insisting on attending a private lunch in 2025
The King and Queen led a full turn-out of senior royals today at one of the highlights of the palace calendar.
Accompanied by the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent, the family were at Windsor for the annual service of the Most Noble Order of the Garter at St George’s Chapel.
The King and Queen led the procession down from the castle after a private lunch to the chapel, the historic place of worship and spiritual home of the ancient order of chivalry and the most senior knighthood in the United Kingdom.
Royal members include Prince William, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and the Gloucesters, as well as the Duke of Kent.
The former Duke of York – now plain Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor – had been a member since 2006 and stubbornly insisted on attending the private lunch even after being stripped of his public duties over the Epstein scandal.
However last year he was finally struck off the roll and his banner was removed from the chapel after the King moved to strip his brother of all his remaining titles, including that of prince. His appointment was annulled on 30 October 2025.
It is believed that this year is the first year that Andrew has not attended in any capacity at all – having insisted on attending the lunch at last year’s event.
A royal source said that since Andrew is no longer a member of the Order it is logical that he is not attending any element of the day.
The Princess of Wales and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, smile as they attend the 2026 Order Of The Garter Service at Windsor Castle
The Prince and Princess of Wales after attending the annual Order of the Garter Service
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at St George’s Chapel to attend the annual Order of the Garter Service
The Princess of Wales was wearing a beautiful lemon coat dress, made in London by Patrick McDowell – the designer she gave the Queen Elizabeth Award for Design to last year
The Princess of Wales shares a giggle with the Duchess of Edinburgh at today’s occasion
The Duchess of Edinburgh opted for a white and pink floral ensemble for her outing today
The Princess Royal, Duke of Edinburgh and Prince of Wales attending the annual Order of the Garter Service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle
Andrew is now living in Norfolk while police investigate allegations of misconduct in public office.
Non-members such as the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Edinburgh watch from the chapel’s Galilee Porch entrance as the order’s members – resplendent in velvet plumes and caps with ostrich feathers – walk past.
The Princess of Wales was wearing a beautiful lemon coat dress, made in London by Patrick McDowell – the designer she gave the Queen Elizabeth Award for Design to last year.
The fabric was woven for Her Royal Highness by Stephen Walters & Sons, in Suffolk. She also sported a hat by Jane Taylor, trimmed with fabric from Mr Walters. Her earrings were by Robinson & Pelham.
The Princess of Wales was seen smiling and waving at several of the members of the order – and gazing proudly at her husband, Prince William, as well as curtseying to her father-in-law, the King.
The royal party walked down Castle Hill wearing the traditional robes and plumed hats of the Order, following the Military Knights of Windsor and the Heralds and followed by a detachment of The King’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard.
The Duke of Kent and Lady Mary Peters both attended the service but did not take part in the procession.
Notable figures taking part this year included former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, former Conservative Party chairman Lord Patten and former diplomat and Labour Peer Baroness Amos.
The Princess of Wales looked effortlessly elegant for today’s outing in a lemon dress
The Prince and Princess of Wales after attending the service at Windsor Castle
The Princess of Wales (left) smiles with the Duchess of Edinburgh (second left) as the Prince of Wales walks past during the service
The Princess of Wales smiles as she departs the 2026 Order Of The Garter Service
King Charles and Queen Camilla after attending the annual Order of the Garter Service
The Duchess of Edinburgh next to Princess Anne following the service in Windsor Castle
The Prince of Wales attending the Order of the Garter Service at St George’s Chapel
Royal members include Prince William, Princess Anne (pictured right), Prince Edward (pictured left) and the Gloucesters, as well as the Duke of Kent
The fabric of Kate’s elegant dress was woven for Her Royal Highness by Stephen Walters & Sons, in Suffolk
Kate (pictured with Sophie) sported a hat by Jane Taylor, trimmed with fabric from Mr Walters
The Princess of Wales’ shimmering earrings were by Robinson & Pelham
Sophie teamed her elegant floral dress with a pink and white hat and a pair of diamond earrings
Queen Camilla and King Charles resplendent in velvet plumes and caps with ostrich feathers
Non-members such as the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Edinburgh watch from the chapel’s Galilee Porch entrance as the order’s members – resplendent in velvet plumes and caps with ostrich feathers – walk past
Following the service, Their Majesties and the other royals will depart by carriage for their return journey to the castle
The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain. Pictured, the King and Queen at today’s occasion
The Prince of Wales attending the annual Order of the Garter Service
The King and Queen led the procession down from the castle after a private lunch to the chapel, the historic place of worship and spiritual home of the ancient order of chivalry and the most senior knighthood in the United Kingdom
Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber attending the annual Order of the Garter Service
Sir Tony Blair attending the annual Order of the Garter Service
Former Prime Minister Sir John Major arrives to attend the service in Windsor
The Band of the Irish Guards play during the annual Order of the Garter Service
The service began with the installation of the new Garter knights and they took their places in their stalls, followed by the King, before the congregation joined in the Lord’s Prayer.
The Queen wore a white chiffon evening dress by Fiona Clare under her Garter robe.
Following the service, Their Majesties and the other royals will depart by carriage for their return journey to the castle.
Ahead of the Service, the three new Companions to the Most Noble Order of the Garter were invested at a private investiture in the Garter Throne Room at Windsor Castle.
Three new members were announced in April: The Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield – a journalist, academic and historian – to be a Knight Companion, former Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service Lord O’Donnell, GCB to be a Knight Companion and The Right Honourable The Lord Burnett of Maldon, a former Lord Chief Justice, to be a Knight Companion.
The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attending the annual Order of the Garter Service
Lady Mary Peters attends the 2026 Order Of The Garter Service
The Princess of Wales and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, attend the 2026 Order Of The Garter Service
Britain’s Attorney General Richard Hermer (L), the Duchess of Gloucester (2L), Princess Anne, (3L), Prince Edward (4L) and Prince William (C) arrive to attend the Order of the Garter service
The Queen wore a white chiffon evening dress by Fiona Clare under her Garter robe
The Household Cavalry Band at the annual Order of the Garter Service at St George’s Chapel
Members of The Life Guards on parade at the Order of the Garter Service
Companions of the Garter are chosen personally by the Sovereign to honour those who have held public office, who have contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally
Established by King Edward III nearly 700 years ago, it was inspired by tales of the Arthurian ‘round table’.
The Order includes The King, who is Sovereign of the Garter, The Queen, several members of the Royal Family, and up to 24 companions chosen in recognition of their work.
Companions of the Garter are chosen personally by the Sovereign to honour those who have held public office, who have contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally.
The order’s emblem is a garter circlet with the motto Honi soit qui mal y pense, meaning ‘shamed be (the person) who thinks evil of it’.
