The Princess of Wales was all smiles today as she joined the Royal Family for a poignant service of the Order of the Garter at Windsor Castle. Princess Kate looked stunning in a cream boucle dress by Self Portrait as she made her way into the castle grounds.

Kate previously wore the same dress at the VE Day concert earlier this year. She also sported a colour-matching hat and an eye-catching pearl necklace. She finished the look with a cream clutch and nude heels. The princess was seen waiting for the rest of the royals, including her husband, Prince William, who is a Knight of the ancient Order.

King Charles and Queen Camilla led the Royal Family today during a day filled with a fine display of pomp and pageantry as the Knights and Ladies of the Garter donned grand velvet robes and ostrich-feathered plumed hats for the hallowed ceremony in St George’s Chapel.

The future Queen did not attend last year’s Garter Day service as she was still undergoing treatment following her cancer diagnosis. In January, she announced that she is in remission.

Garter Day is a staple fixture in the royal calendar and comes just two days after the Royal Family were out in force to celebrate the King’s official birthday at Trooping the Colour during the weekend.

It is the country’s oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry, only outranked by the Victoria Cross and the George Cross.

The Order includes the King, who is Sovereign of the Garter, Queen Camilla, several members of the Royal Family, and up to 24 Companions who have been recognised for their dedication to public service.

Princess Kate is not a Royal Companion. There are currently 10 members of the Royal Family who have become Royal Knights and Royal Ladies within the Order.

King Charles was made a Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter in 1958, when he became the Prince of Wales.

Since Queen Elizabeth’s death in 2022, he became the Sovereign of the Most Noble Order of the Garter

Prince William became a Royal Knight in 2008 and was also the 1000th Knight ever created.

Other royals being made Knights and Ladies include the Duke of Kent in 1985, the Duke of Gloucester in 1997, the Princess Royal in 1994 and Princess Alexandra in 2003 as Royal Knight Companions, and the Duke of York and Duke of Edinburgh in 2006.

Queen Camilla was made Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in 2022.

Last year, the Duchess of Gloucester was invested as a Royal Lady Companion of the Garter.