Blooming lovely! Duchess of Edinburgh is chic in £ 1,628 Emilia Wickstead floral dress as she joins Kate at the Order of the Garter service
- Duchess of Edinburgh joined other royals at St George’s Chapel in Windsor today
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The Duchess of Edinburgh looked ready for summer as she stepped out in a chic floral number for today’s Order of the Garter service in Windsor.
Sophie, 58, looked typically stylish in a pink and white midi dress from Emilia Wickstead, priced at £ 1,628, when attending the ceremony at St George’s Chapel, alongside other Royal Family members, including the Princess of Wales.
The mother-of-two, who is married to Queen Elizabeth II’s youngest son, Prince Edward, teamed the elegant frock with a statement pink headpiece and kept her blonde locks in a neat up-do.
If that wasn’t enough, the fashionable royal added a touch of glitz to her look with a pair of silver earrings and an array of gold bracelets.
She completed her ensemble with white strappy heels and a matching handbag, while holding a pink shawl.
The Duchess of Edinburgh (pictured) looked ready for summer as she stepped out in a chic floral number for today’s Order of the Garter service in Windsor
Meanwhile, joining Sophie at the service, the Princess of Wales was the picture of elegance in a chic black-and-white polka dot midi dress by Alessandra Rich for the occasion.
The sophisticated high-necked gown featured voluminous sleeves with dainty button detailing.
Kate paired her stunning dress with a black-and-white hat – featuring feathering which perfectly matched the print of her dress – by her go-to designer Philip Treacy.
Keeping her jewellery minimal, the Princess opted for a pair of simple dangly pearl earrings.
The royal finished off her ensemble with a nude clutch bag and white heels with a black toe.
Order of the Garter day comes just two days after the Royal Family were out in force to celebrate the King’s official birthday at Trooping the Colour.
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, which is the oldest British order of chivalry and the oldest national order of knighthood in existence, is limited to 24 Knights or Ladies Companion in addition to the King and Prince of Wales.
It also includes ‘supernumerary members’, including foreign monarchs and other royals.
Sophie (pictured right), 58, looked typically stylish in a pink and white midi dress from Emilia Wickstead, priced at £ 1,628, when attending the ceremony at St George’s Chapel, alongside other Royal Family members, including the Princess of Wales
The mother-of-two (pictured right), who is married to Queen Elizabeth II’s youngest son, Prince Edward, teamed the elegant frock with a statement pink headpiece and kept her blonde locks in a neat up-do.
If that wasn’t enough, the fashionable royal (pictured right, with Kate, left) added a touch of glitz to her look with a pair of silver earrings and an array of gold bracelets
Meanwhile, joining Sophie at the service, the Princess of Wales was the picture of elegance in a chic black-and-white polka dot midi dress by Alessandra Rich for the occasion
The Princess of Wales looked sensational in a white-and-black polka dot print dress for Garter Day this afternoon
King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at the Order Of The Garter Service at Windsor Castle
Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh and Prince William, Prince of Wales arrive at St George’s Chapel
The Order of the Garter is a a 700-year tradition founded by Edward III in 1348, and recognises contributions of great public service from those honoured – usually Lords and Ladies of the UK.
Foreign royals have been given honorary ‘Stranger Knight’ status since 1813, with controversial recipients over the years including Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany before World War I.
King Felipe was appointed by the late Queen during his July 2017 state visit while King Willem-Alexander received the honour during his state visit in October 2018.
In celebration of the first parade of the King’s reign, Queen Camilla has been made a Royal Knight of the Order of the Thistle, Scotland’s greatest order of chivalry, joining the Princess Royal and Princess of Wales, who also hold the honour.
Knights 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.
Foreign royals have been receiving Stranger Knight status since 1813, when Emperor Alexander I of Russia was invested with Order status.
The Band of the Household Cavalry play as well-wishers look on ahead of the Order Of The Garter Service at Windsor Castle
The Life Guards (left) and the Blues and Royals (right) regiments of the Household Cavalry, parade towards St George’s Chapel
Members of the Household Cavalry in formation ahead of the Order Of The Garter Service at Windsor Castle
Other foreign royals who are currently Stranger Knights are Queen Margrethe of Denmark, King Carl Gustaf of Sweden, former King Juan Carlos of Spain, Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, King Harald of Norway and former Emperor Akihito of Japan.
The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain and it was first established by King Edward III in 1348 – almost 700 years ago.
During the First World War, two Royal Knights and six Stranger Knights, all monarchs or princes of enemy nations and including Kaiser Wilhelm II, German Emperor, and Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria, were struck off the roll of the Order or had their appointments annulled in 1915.
Emperor Hirohito of Japan was also removed from the Order during World War II in 1941, but it was restored to his great pleasure after he made a state visit to the UK in 1971, 26 years after the country was defeated by the Allies.
The King and Prince William, as sovereign and heir, are automatically given membership of the Order and are considered ‘ex officio knights’ with the power to admit new members.
The appointment of Knights of the Garter is in the King’s gift and is made without consulting ministers.
Recipients of the honour are chosen because they have held public office, contributed to national life or served the sovereign personally.
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