What it’s like to attend Garter Day at Windsor Castle
We get up close to the King, Queen and William and Kate
Yesterday, I had the incredible experience of attending Garter Day at Windsor Castle, with The Royal List co-editor, Maria Coole. We’ve previously attended the Coronation – read about it here - so were interested to see what this traditional royal occasion, full of pomp, gowns and funny hats, is like.
Firstly, it’s at Windsor Castle, which for anyone who has never visited, is about as close to Camelot as you’ll get, with its heraldic, medieval interiors. It’s a great tour and I recommend it to everyone - you don’t have to be into royal history to enjoy it.
But most importantly, this was the most intimate royal experience we’ve had. Only a limited number of guests are allowed in, so you line the walkways in Windsor and are just a few feet away from the procession. It’s fabulous.
What is the Order of the Garter?
It’s a 700-year-old ritual for knights of the realm – really! In the 1300s, King Edward III was inspired by stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, so set up his own version, called the Order of the Garter. Their motto is ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’ (Shame on him who thinks this evil) and there are royal posts, plus no more than 24 Companion Knights - male and female – chosen by the monarch in recognition of public service. The current list includes former Prime Ministers John Major and Tony Blair, plus Andrew-Lloyd Webber and Baroness Amos. There are vacancies in the order and new appointments are announced each year on St George’s Day, as the patron saint of the Order.
Who are the royal members?
The King is joined by:
The Duke of Kent
Princess Anne
The Duke of Gloucester
The Duchess of Gloucester
Princess Alexandra
Prince Andrew (he no longer walks in the procession)
Prince Edward
Prince William
Queen Camilla
International royalty also hold posts as Stranger Knight Companions.
What about Catherine?
Last year, the King bestowed a special honour on the Princess of Wales, naming her the first royal to be Royal Companion of The Order of the Companions of Honour. No, we’re not sure what that means, either.
Why do they wear the robes and hats?
For the annual Garter Day procession every June, the royals and knights don their velvet robes, insignia and plumed hats and parade to St George’s Chapel. Attendees wear the mantle - a velvet robe in purple or blue, with insignia and Tudor bonnet, with a plume of ostrich feathers, plus a collar of gold with heraldic knots and medallions, tied with white ribbons. Over the shoulder, is a red velvet hood and surcoat. Every knight also displays a banner of their arms in the Chapel. These are quite the sight, when you visit.
What happens at the parade?
The day – which kicks off Royal Ascot week - begins with the Sovereign formally investing any new Companions with the Order’s insignia in the Throne Room of the Castle. The members and officers attend a lunch hosted by the King, then process on foot to St George’s Chapel. There is a short service and the King and Queen and other members of the Order return to the castle in carriages and cars.
What is it like to be there?
It’s a super-unique experience and really enjoyable to see. Tickets are strictly limited and you are pre-allocated areas of the castle grounds to sit in, so you are not jostling for space, or crowded. People bring chairs, blankets and picnics and sit in sections along the route. We were right at the top of the route, just a few steps away from the royal procession. There are marching bands and the Household Guards line the route, sweltering in their heavy uniforms and bearskin hats. One soldier looked dangerously close to fainting in the heat, but managed to make it. It feels very informal – the Knights waved and smiled and spoke to the crowd, it was lovely. And the crowd was very happy and pleased to be there, experiencing a historic occasion.
How do you get tickets?
You can apply to a ballot for tickets, between January 1 and March 1 every year, by emailing GarterDay@royal.uk
Other royal days out
Buckingham Palace: You can take an East Wing guided tour of Buckingham Palace, which this year lets you enter through the Palace’s front gates, plus see the famous balcony. General State Room tours also run during the summer opening, in July and August, rct.uk
Balmoral: The castle is once again open to visitors on a guided internal tour, from now until August, as well as an afternoon tea experience, balmoralcastle.com
Trooping the Colour: You’ve missed this year’s parade, which took place last weekend, on June 14, but put it in your diary to apply for the ballot for next year. The ballot opens in March, kbp.army.mod.uk
Highgrove: Charles and Camilla’s home opens its gardens to visitors until October, and you can wander the gardens plus take afternoon tea in the Orchard Room, highgrovegardens.com
Jubilees, coronations, funerals: For those wondering about events like jubilees, coronations and funerals – anyone is able to line the route, but police usually close the roads once crowds reach capacity. Our advice is to go at dawn … really!