The Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Edinburgh dazzled in beautiful outfits at a 700-year-old royal ceremony in Windsor today.
The King and Queen joined members of the Royal Family at Windsor Castle on Monday for the annual Order of the Garter ceremony at St George’s Chapel.
Their Majesties and other royals walked in procession from the castle to the chapel for the service, which marks one of the most significant events in the royal calendar.
Following the ceremony, the royal party returned to Windsor Castle by carriage.
Three distinguished figures received their investiture as Knight Companions earlier in the day during a private ceremony held in the Garter Throne Room.
The Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Edinburgh dazzled in beautiful outfits at a 700-year-old royal ceremony in Windsor today
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Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield, Lord O’Donnell and Lord Burnett of Maldon were formally admitted to the order, having had their appointments announced on 23rd April this year.
The Order of the Garter holds the distinction of being Britain’s most ancient and prestigious order of chivalry, having been founded by King Edward III approximately 700 years ago.
Its membership comprises the Sovereign, who serves as head of the order, the Queen, various members of the Royal Family, and a maximum of 24 companions selected for their contributions.
The Sovereign personally chooses each companion, recognising individuals who have occupied public office, made notable contributions to the nation, or rendered personal service to the monarch.
The Princess of Wales and Duchess of Edinburgh stepped out to support their husbands on Garter Day
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All three newly invested knights sit as crossbench life peers in the House of Lords, representing distinguished careers spanning academia, the civil service and the judiciary.
Lord Hennessy has built a distinguished career as a historian of British government, holding the position of Attlee Professor of Contemporary British History at Queen Mary University of London since 2000.
Born in North London with Catholic Irish heritage through his father, he attended grammar school in Stroud before reading at St John’s College, Cambridge, and later received a Kennedy Memorial Scholarship to Harvard.
His professional life began in journalism at The Times Higher Education Supplement, progressing to roles as Whitehall correspondent and leader writer for The Times, followed by positions at the Financial Times and Economist.
The Duchess of Edinburgh looked mesmerising for the occasion
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He became a familiar voice on BBC Radio 4, presenting Analysis and later Reflections.
His scholarship earned significant recognition, with his book on 1950s Britain winning the 2007 Orwell Prize for political writing.
Lord O’Donnell served at the pinnacle of the British civil service as Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service from 2005 to 2011.
Educated at the University of Warwick and Nuffield College, Oxford, he began his career as an economics lecturer at Glasgow University before joining HM Treasury in 1979.
The Princess of Wales pictured in Windsor for the occasion
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His career included diplomatic postings in Washington, where he worked at the British Embassy and later represented the UK on the boards of the IMF and World Bank.
Since departing government service, he has chaired Frontier Economics and held academic positions at the London School of Economics.
Lord Burnett of Maldon served as Lord Chief Justice from 2017 to 2023, becoming the youngest person appointed to that role since 1958 when he took office aged fifty-nine.