The Princess of Wales in Monochrome Ensemble for Order of the Garter

The Princess of Wales chose an Alessandra Rich design for today’s Order of the Garter events in Windsor.

Below is the scene as the Household Cavalry band led the procession to St. George’s Chapel for the Most Noble Order of the Garter service.

More from The Telegraph’s story by India McTaggart.

A near 3,000 crowd of members of the public cheered as the King and Queen waved and walked down to the Chapel of St George for the Most Noble Order of the Garter service.

The Garter Day procession saw Their Majesties, several members of the Royal family and the Knights and Ladies parade in their traditional grand velvet robes, insignia and plumed hats. It marks one of the most historical ceremonies in the Royal calendar with several senior working members of the family partaking in the service and procession at Windsor.

The King and Queen as they approached the chapel. 

Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Prince William.

More from this ITV piece.

Founded in 1348 by Edward III, the Garter is awarded by the sovereign for outstanding public service and achievement and are said to have been inspired by events at a ball in northern France.

The Order’s emblem is a blue ribbon or garter worn by men below the left knee and by women on the left arm.

There are now 21 non-royal companions in the order out of a maximum of 24.

This is the first time the King has taken part as Sovereign of the Order.

A video of the procession via ITV’s Lizzie Robinson. 

The Princess of Wales and Duchess of Edinburgh share a laugh as they watch the procession.

This quick video from The Telegraph’s India McTaggart gives you a sense of how windy it was. On the far left you can see the Duchess of Gloucester, 

In this view, you can see Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Princess of Wales, and the Duchess of Edinburgh.
Now for a look at images after the service concluded. Below, King Charles and Queen Camilla.

The Prince and Princess of Wales. 

Victoria Arbiter pointed out on social media that “Today’s Garter Ceremony will have been especially poignant for the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh who were married at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor OTD in 1999.”

The King and Queen as they are about to head back to Windsor Castle. 

An aerial view.

A video shows the royals curtsey as the King and Queen leave in their carriage. 

The Prince and Princess of Wales. 

And a quick video via Rebecca English of The Daily Mail. 

Princess Anne and Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence shared a carriage with the Edinburghs. 

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Turning to what Kate wore for today’s events, we begin with her Alessandra Rich dress. 

The dress is 100% silk and features a high neck, padded shoulders, plating, a deep back vent, and a concealed back zipper. As Middleton Maven pointed out, it is a style worn by Lady Eliza Spencer (seen below) when attending this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. I show the dress as offered at Cettire ($553), as the version worn by the Princess is a custom piece. 

Here is a closer look at the details. 

We saw a new chapeau for the Princess, a bespoke design by Philip Treacy. 

It looks like a version of this style on the milliner’s site. 

The Princess debuted a new pair of shoes by Jennifer Chamandi, the Vittorio 105 in Nappa Leather with a Black Patent toe cap. The slingback style has two straps, a pointed toe, and a four-inch heel.

Thank you to Emily for identifying the style and to Middleton Maven for getting confirmation from the designer and verifying the heel height. The Princess has worn the brand before to the reopening of the V&A Museum in May 2021. 

The princess carried a new Strathberry bag, the Scottish brand’s Muees Chain Wallet ($425) in what looks like the Vanilla/Diamond colorway. The bag measures roughly 8″ x 4″ and comes with a detachable chain so it can be carried as a crossbody style.

Thank you to Carly at Kate Middleton Style for this ID. 

The Princess wore jewelry that belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales: the Collingwood Earrings and the Nigel Milne triple-strand pearl bracelet. 

This is not the first time we have seen the Princess in black and white polka dots at Order of the Garter. Below, Kate Middleton is seen with Prince Harry on Garter Day in 2008.

In 2011 she wore a Katherine Hooker coat; at the 2012 event we saw the return of her much loved Alexander McQueen ‘Samurai Folds’ coat; in 2014 the Duchess was in a bespoke Christopher Kane coat; in 2016, the Duchess brought back a Catherine Walker ensemble; for 2019’s Garter Day events, we saw another Catherine Walker design; and in 2022, the Duchess wore a design believed to be by Alexander McQueen.  

We’ll see you tomorrow for the Princess’s engagement celebrating the National Portrait Gallery’s reopening.