In Pictures: A History of Garter Day

The annual Garter Day procession, where The King and the Knights process in grand velvet robes, glistening insignia and plumed hats, is one of the most traditional ceremonies in the Royal calendar.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip attend the Garter Service in 1980

Take a look at Garter Day over the years...

King George V and Queen Mary in Garter Procession, 1913
King George V and Queen Mary in Garter Procession, 1913.

 

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth mark the 600th anniversary of the foundation of the Order, 1948
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth mark the 600th anniversary of the foundation of the Order, 1948.

 

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip attend the Garter Service in 1954
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip attend the Order of the Garter Service in 1954.

 

Garter Service 1954
The procession to St. George's Chapel for the Garter Service, 1954.

 

The Order of the Garter procession in 1963
The Order of the Garter procession, 1963.

 

The annual procession for members of the Order of the Garter ahead of the service at St George's Chapel, 2015
The annual procession for members of the Order of the Garter ahead of the service at St George's Chapel, 2015.

 

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip enter St George's Chapel for the Order of the Garter Service, 1956.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip enter St George's Chapel for the Order of the Garter Service, 1956.

 

The King and Queen (as The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall) enter St George's Chapel for the Order of the Garter Service, 2022.
The King and Queen (as The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall) enter St George's Chapel for the Order of the Garter Service, 2022.

 

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip attend the Garter Service in 1980
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip attend the Order of the Garter Service in 1980.

 

The King and Queen (as The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall) attend the Order of the Garter Service in 2022.
The King and Queen (as The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall) attend the Order of the Garter Service in 2022.

 

The Queen (as The Duchess of Cornwall) was installed as a Royal Lady of the Garter in 2022.
The Queen (as The Duchess of Cornwall) was installed as a Royal Lady of the Garter in 2022, having been appointed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2021. 

 

The King (as The Prince of Wales) and The Princess Royal attend Garter Day in 1995
The King (as The Prince of Wales) and The Princess Royal attend Garter Day in 1995.

 

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh (as The Earl and Countess of Wessex) attend Garter Day in 2014.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh (as The Earl and Countess of Wessex) attend Garter Day in 2014.

 

Queen Elizabeth and The King (as Prince of Wales) attend Garter Day 1996
Queen Elizabeth and The King (as The Prince of Wales) attend Garter Day in 1996.

 

Princess Alexandra and The Duke of Kent attend Garter Day in 2012.
Princess Alexandra and The Duke of Kent attend Garter Day in 2012.

 

The Princess Royal and The Duke of Gloucester attend Garter Day in 2009.
The Princess Royal and The Duke of Gloucester attend Garter Day in 2009.

 

Prince William attends Garter Day in 2010.
Prince William attends Garter Day in 2010.

 

The Princess Royal, Queen Elizabeth and The King (as The Prince of Wales) attend Garden Day in 1999.
The Princess Royal, Queen Elizabeth and The King (as The Prince of Wales) attend Garter Day in 1999.

 

The King (as The Prince of Wales) and The Princess of Wales (as The Duchess of Cambridge) attend Garter Day in 2014.
The King (as The Prince of Wales) and The Princess of Wales (as The Duchess of Cambridge) attend Garter Day in 2014.

 

The King (as The Prince of Wales), Queen Elizabeth II and The Prince of Wales (as The Duke of Cambridge) attend Garter Day in 2013.
The King (as The Prince of Wales), Queen Elizabeth II and The Prince of Wales (as The Duke of Cambridge) attend Garter Day in 2013.

 

The King and Queen attend Garter Day 2023
The King and Queen attend Garter Day 2023, as His Majesty's first time in the role of Sovereign of The Order of the Garter.

Related content

News

The King visits Bermuda

01 May 2026
The King in Bermuda

A speech by His Majesty The King at the White House State Dinner, Washington

Tonight, we are here to renew an indispensable alliance which has long been a cornerstone of prosperity and security for both British and American citizens. Our people have...

29 April 2026
News

State Visit to the US

28 April 2026
The King and Queen visit the United States of America

A Speech by The Queen at a Literary Reception to mark the fifth anniversary of Her Majesty's Reading Room

I find it hard to believe that it is five years since I founded it, at the height of lockdown, with the simple aim of sharing my lifelong conviction that books make life...

25 March 2026
News

Royal Maundy 2026

02 April 2026
Royal Maundy 2026

The Queen's speech at a WOW reception to mark International Women's Day

Every woman has a story. And these stories must be told. Because when we live in a culture of silence, we empower violence against women and girls.

10 March 2026
News

Commonwealth Day 2026

12 March 2026
Members of The Royal Family attend The Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Education

The King's Commonwealth Day Message 2026

Working together, we can ensure that the Commonwealth continues to stand as a force for good – grounded in community, committed to the kind of restorative sustainability that...

08 March 2026
Press release 03 March 2026

The King's Medal for Music 2024 & 2025

Read more
Press release 19 February 2026

A Statement from His Majesty The King

Read more
Press release 14 February 2026

The King’s Gold Medal for Poetry 2025

Read more

A message from The King on the death of Reverend Jesse Jackson

My wife and I were deeply saddened to hear of the death of the Reverend Jesse Jackson. We send our deepest sympathy to his family. I remember with great fondness meeting him...

18 February 2026

A message from The King ahead of a reception at Windsor Castle to celebrate carers

So to those who provide care - whether you wear a uniform or simply the clothes you felt able to pull on in the morning - please know that the great love you show in small...

12 February 2026

A message from The King, following the attack at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia

My wife and I were profoundly shocked and saddened to learn of the most dreadful attack at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia. We can only express our deepest...

11 February 2026
News

The King and Queen visit Dedham

12 February 2026
The King in Dedham

Speech delivered by The Queen during a visit to Maggie’s Cheltenham, to celebrate the charity’s 30th anniversary

I should like to end by expressing my heartfelt thanks to the whole Maggie’s community. To Maggie’s children, Lily and John, who have done so much to continue their mother’s...

21 January 2026

A message from The Queen to mark the 5th anniversary of The Queen's Reading Room

Reading truly changes how we perceive, how we think and how we connect.

08 January 2026

A speech by His Majesty The King at the Lord High Admiral’s Divisions Parade, Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth

My own service taught me that leadership is not about rank; it is, and has always been, about character. It is about making sound decisions under pressure, holding firm to our...

19 December 2025

A message from The King in support of Stand Up To Cancer

Throughout my own cancer journey, I have been profoundly moved by what I can only call the 'community of care' that surrounds every cancer patient - the specialists, the...

12 December 2025