The Duchess of Edinburgh attends the service of the Order of the Garter at Windsor
The Duchess of Edinburgh looked ready for summer as she stepped out in a chic floral number for the Order of the Garter service in Windsor today.
Sophie, 58, looked typically stylish in a pink and white midi dress by Emilia Wickstead, priced at £1,628, as she attended the ceremony at St George’s Chapel along with other members of the royal family, including the Princess of Wales .
The mother-of-two, who today celebrates her 24th wedding anniversary with Queen Elizabeth II’s youngest son Prince Edward, paired the elegant dress with a striking pink headpiece and kept her blonde locks neatly pinned up.
As if that wasn’t enough, the fashionable royal added a touch of glitter to her look with a pair of silver earrings and a series of gold bracelets.
She completed her ensemble with white strappy heels and a matching handbag, while holding a pink scarf.
The Duchess of Edinburgh (pictured) looked ready for summer as she stepped out in a chic floral dress for today’s Order of the Garter service in Windsor
Meanwhile, along with Sophie at the service, the Princess of Wales was the epitome of elegance in a chic black and white polka dot midi dress by Alessandra Rich for the occasion.
The sophisticated high-necked dress had voluminous sleeves with ornate button details.
Kate paired her beautiful dress with a black and white hat – with feathers that perfectly matched the print of her dress – from her resident designer Philip Treacy.
The princess kept her jewelry minimal and opted for a pair of simple dangling pearl earrings.
The royal completed her ensemble with a nude clutch and white heels with a black toe.
Order of the Garter Day comes just two days after the Royal Family flocked to celebrate the King’s official birthday at Trooping the Colour.
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, the oldest British order of knighthood and the oldest existing national order of knighthood, is limited to 24 Knights of Ladies Companion in addition to the King and Prince of Wales.
It also includes ‘supernumerary members’, including foreign monarchs and other members of the royal family.
Sophie (pictured right), 58, looked typically stylish in a pink and white Emilia Wickstead midi dress, priced at £1,628, as she attended the ceremony at St George’s Chapel, along with other members of the royal family, including the princess of wales
The mother-of-two (pictured right), who is married to Queen Elizabeth II’s youngest son Prince Edward, paired the elegant dress with a striking pink headpiece and kept her blonde locks neatly pinned up.
As if that wasn’t enough, the fashionable royal (pictured right, with Kate, left) added a touch of glitter to her look with a pair of silver drop earrings and a string of gold bracelets
Meanwhile, along with Sophie at the service, the Princess of Wales was the epitome of elegance in a chic black and white polka dot midi dress by Alessandra Rich for the occasion
The Princess of Wales looked sensational this afternoon in a white and black polka dot print dress for Garter Day
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 700-year tradition, founded by Edward III in 1348, recognizing contributions of great public service from the honored – usually Lords and Ladies of the UK.
Foreign royals have been awarded ‘Stranger Knight’ honorary 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 state visit in July 2017 and King Willem-Alexander received the honor during his state visit in October 2018.
In honor 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 highest order of chivalry, joining the Princess Royal and Princess of Wales, who also have the honor .
Knights of the Garter are personally chosen by the Sovereign to honor those who have held public office, contributed in some way to national life, or who have personally served the Sovereign.
Foreign royals have been granted Stranger Knight status since 1813, when Emperor Alexander I of Russia was granted Order status.
The Band of the Household Cavalry plays while benefactors watch for 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 for the Order Of The Garter Service at Windsor Castle
Other foreign royals who are currently Stranger Knights include 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 highest order of chivalry in Britain and was first established by King Edward III in 1348 – nearly 700 years ago.
During the First World War, two Royal Knights and six Stranger Knights, all monarchs or princes of enemy nations, including Kaiser Wilhelm II, the German Emperor, and Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria, were delisted from the Order or had their appointments nullified in 1915.
Emperor Hirohito of Japan was also removed from the Order during World War II in 1941, but was reinstated to his delight after paying a state visit to the UK in 1971, 26 years after the country’s defeat by the Allies.
The King and Prince William, as sovereign and heir, are automatically granted membership of the Order and are considered ‘ex officio knights’ with the authority to admit new members.
The appointment of Knights of the Garter is a gift from the King and takes place without consulting the ministers.
Recipients of the honor are elected because they have held public office, contributed to national life, or served the sovereign personally.