King Charles has personally invested three new companions of the Most Noble Order of the Garter during this year's Garter Day at Windsor Castle. The investiture took place earlier in the day inside the Garter throne room, located in the state apartments of the upper ward of the castle, where the monarch admits new members to what remains one of the oldest orders of chivalry in the country. Membership of the order is reserved for those who have given distinguished service to the country over decades, and the additions confirmed this year continue a tradition that stretches back to the Middle Ages.
The three new knights are Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield, the historian, Lord O'Donnell, the former head of the civil service, and Lord Burnett of Maldon, the former Lord Chief Justice. Each held senior positions in public life before being honoured, and their appointment reflects the order's focus on long service to the state rather than political affiliation. The trio were among the figures who processed through the grounds of the castle as part of the day's pageantry.
The new companions join an order whose existing members include two former prime ministers, Sir Tony Blair and Sir John Major, as well as the composer Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber. Sir Tony Blair was seen among the gathering, speaking with officials taking part in the ceremony, while his wife Cherie Blair was also present. The mix of statesmen, jurists and cultural figures underlines the breadth of those recognised by the honour.
Attention also fell on the Princess of Wales, who, despite being a future queen and the mother of a future king, is not currently a lady of the Order of the Garter. As she is not yet permitted to wear the order's velvet robes, she instead appeared in a dress by a British designer, in keeping with her practice of championing British fashion at major royal occasions. Her presence drew interest even though she did not take part in the procession of knights.
The ceremony retained its centuries-old visual character, with knights dressed in deep velvet robes and white feathered plumed hats that have changed little since medieval times. The King, the Queen and the Prince of Wales emerged from the Great West Door of the castle before returning to the upper ward by carriage. The combination of robes, plumes and carriages gave the day the appearance of a scene from a much earlier age.
This year's Garter Day was also notable for an absence, as it was the first occasion on which Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor did not take part as a Knight of the Garter. The King had previously stripped him of the honour, meaning he was not among those gathered in the Garter throne room and was not present at Windsor for the ceremony. His removal from the order marked a clear break from previous years, when he had featured in the procession.
Members of the public were once again given the opportunity to witness the spectacle from within the castle grounds. Free tickets were made available through a public ballot on the Royal Family's website, with around three thousand people selected to stand inside the grounds of Windsor Castle and watch the procession. Many of those chosen dressed in their finery for the occasion, joining in a day intended to celebrate the monarchy and long-standing British tradition.