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 today led the full attendance of senior royals at one of the most important moments in the palace calendar.
The family, 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, were in Windsor for the annual service of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in St George’s Chapel.
After a private lunch, the King and Queen led the procession down the castle to the chapel, the historic place of worship and spiritual home of the ancient order of chivalry and the most senior order of chivalry 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 Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor) has been a member since 2006 and has doggedly insisted on attending the private lunch even after he was removed from public duties in the Epstein scandal.
But last year he was finally removed from the list and his standard removed from the chapel after the King moved to strip his brother of all his remaining titles, including that of principality. His appointment was canceled on 30 October 2025.
This is believed to be the first year Andrew has not attended at all, having insisted on attending lunch at last year’s event.
A royal source said it made sense for Andrew not to attend any time of the day as he was no longer a member of the Order.
Andrew is currently living in Norfolk while police investigate allegations of misconduct in public office.
From the chapel’s Galilee Porch entrance, non-members such as the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Edinburgh watch as members of the order pass by, resplendent in their velvet plumes and ostrich-feathered hats.
The Princess of Wales wore a beautiful lemon coat dress made in London by designer Patrick McDowell, to whom she gave the Queen Elizabeth Design Award last year.
The fabric was woven for Her Majesty by Stephen Walters & Sons in Suffolk. She also wore a Jane Taylor hat trimmed with fabric by Stephen Walters. Her earrings were by Robinson & Pelham.
Following the service, Her Majesty and the other royals will depart by car for their return journey to the castle.
Ahead of the service, three new Companions of the Most Noble Order of the Garter were invested in a special investiture in the Throne Room of the Garter at Windsor Castle.
Three new members were announced in April: Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield – a journalist, academic and historian – will become a Knight Comrade, Lord O’Donnell, former Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, will become a Knight Comrade, GCB, and The Right Honorable Lord Burnett of Maldon, a former Lord Chief Justice, will become a Knight Comrade.
The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain.
Approximately 700 years ago, King Henry III. Founded by Edward, this institution was inspired by Arthur’s ’round table’ stories.
The Order includes the King, the Sovereign of the Garter, the Queen, several Members of the Royal Family, and up to 24 companions chosen for their deeds.
Companions of the Garter are personally selected by the Sovereign to honor those who have held public office, contributed to national life in a particular way, or served the Sovereign personally.
The emblem of the order is a garter crown bearing the motto Honi soit qui mal y pense, meaning ‘shame on him who thinks ill of it’.
