Kate Middleton looks regal in blue coat dress as she steps out for Garter Day ceremony at Windsor
Kate Middleton made yet another flawless public appearance as she arrived at St George's Chapel to attend the service for the Order of the Garter. For the occasion, the duchess donned a periwinkle blue dress with a matching clutch bag and a hat featuring a floral detail. The royal outing comes as reports say Prince William and Kate will move their three children out of London to Windsor this summer.
The Garter Day is an annual tradition that sees the Knights of the Order of the Garter gather at Windsor Castle to attend a series of events, including a lunch and a church service at St George's Chapel. The ancient royal ceremony returned to Windsor Castle with all its traditional pageantry for the first time since 2019.
Check out the pictures below to see how gorgeous the duchess looked:
Kate and Sophie
The first royals pictured arriving for the ceremony were Kate and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex. They were on hand to support Camilla who was installed as a Royal Lady of the Order of the Garter. Sophie looked lovely in a pink Valentino dress that she paired with a neutral fascinator, small diamond brooch, nude high heels and a nude crocodile pattern clutch bag.
Kate was a vision in blue
The stylish royal wore her hair in an elegant updo and topped it off with a matching fascinator which seemed to be from Juliette Botterill Millinery. She tied the stunning ensemble together with a tanzanite and diamond necklace and earrings from G. Collins & Sons. Tanzanite is mined in the Manyara region of Tanzania in Africa. William and Kate have special memories of Africa having gotten engaged while on holiday in Kenya.
In good spirits
Kate appeared to be in good spirits — she smiled widely as she was driven from Windsor Castle to the nearby St George's Chapel in a car she shared with Sophie. Other royals at the ceremony included Prince William, Prince Charles, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Kate was also seen smiling and chatting with Camilla with whom she shared the horse-drawn carriage while leaving St George's Chapel.
Prince William wore a Garter Knight ensemble made up of a navy velvet robe and black velvet hat with white plumes—as is custom for the ceremony. Kate had made royal debut at the event back in 2008, when she and William were still dating. That year, William also received his Order of the Garter knighthood.
The Order of the Garter is Britain's oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry, with inclusion in its ranks only in the personal gift of the monarch. Knights of the Garter include members of the royal family plus 24 knights chosen from those who have made significant contributions to national life. Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Edward and Prince Andrew are among the male members of the royal family to hold the garter.
The knights and companions of the Order of the Garter wore the traditional Tudor bonnets and long blue velvet cloaks fastened with heraldic chains.
