Princess of Wales Shines in Self Portrait at Garter Ceremony

The Royal Family Steals the Show: Princess of Wales Dazzles in Cream Coloured Gown at Order of the Garter Ceremony

It was a day of pomp and circumstance as the royal family gathered for the annual Order of the Garter ceremony at Windsor Castle. And what a sight it was! The Princess of Wales, Catherine, 43, made a stunning re-appearance after missing last year's event due to her cancer diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy treatment.

The Princess looked absolutely regal in her cream coloured Self Portrait dress and matching wide-brimmed hat by Sean Barrett, exuding elegance as she stood alongside the Duchess of Edinburgh. The two ladies giggled and chatted like old friends as they watched the procession pass through the grounds of Windsor Castle.

But it wasn't just the Princess who stole the show – Prince William was also in fine form, parading alongside his father, King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other senior royals in their traditional velvet cloaks and hats with plumes of ostrich feathers. The Order of the Garter is Britain's oldest order of chivalry, founded by King Edward III over 700 years ago.

As the Princess watched the procession from the Galilee Porch entrance to St George's Chapel, she seemed oblivious to her husband's admiring glances. Meanwhile, Prince Louis and his siblings, George and Charlotte, were keeping their mother company on the balcony at Buckingham Palace as they celebrated the King's official birthday with Trooping of the Colour.

The History Behind the Order

But what exactly is the Order of the Garter? It's a 700-year-old tradition that recognizes great public service. Membership is limited to a maximum of 24, and is usually bestowed upon Lords and Ladies as chosen by The Queen herself. An 'extra' group of members who don't count towards the official limit are Royal Knights, including Prince William.

The spiritual home of the Order is St George's Chapel, Windsor, where every knight displays a banner of his arms in the chapel, together with a helmet, crest, and sword and an enamelled stallplate. These 'achievements' are taken down on the knight's death, and the insignia returned to the Sovereign. The stallplates remain as a memorial, forming one of the finest collections of heraldry in the world.

A Royal Family Affair

As we know, Prince William is an automatic member of the Order as heir apparent, but his wife Catherine wasn't always so fortunate. Last year's ceremony was a poignant reminder of her health struggles, and it's wonderful to see her back on her feet (or should we say, in her designer gown).

But what about the other royals? Prince Charles, as automatic member of the Order, sat proudly alongside his wife Camilla, while Princess Anne rode into the proceedings on horseback for the first time since her head injury last year.

And then there's the Queen – still going strong at 77! She and King Charles led the royal appearances on Saturday as they watched a flypast involving aircraft including the Red Arrows, Chinook helicopters, and a Lancaster bomber.

Royal Fashion

Of course, no article about the royals would be complete without mentioning fashion. Catherine's cream coloured gown was a stunning choice for the occasion, while her husband William looked dashing in his military attire. But it was little Prince Louis who stole the show on the Buckingham Palace balcony – those cheeky smiles and waving antics had everyone in stitches!

Meanwhile, Catherine's mini-me daughter Charlotte paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II by rewearing the Diamond Horseshoe brooch at Trooping of the Colour earlier that day.

A Day to Remember

The Order of the Garter ceremony may be a centuries-old tradition, but it's still a thrill to watch the royals come together in all their finery. And what a contrast to the drama and intrigue surrounding Prince Andrew – absent once again from public duties due to the Epstein scandal.

With its 700-year-old history and unique traditions, the Order of the Garter remains one of the most exclusive and revered institutions in the world. And today's ceremony was a shining example of the royals at their best – elegant, dignified, and truly regal.

In Conclusion

The Princess of Wales's re-appearance at the Order of the Garter ceremony was a moment to remember, a testament to her strength and resilience after battling cancer. As she stood alongside her husband and other senior royals, it was clear that this was more than just a ceremonial occasion – it was an opportunity for the royal family to come together in celebration of their heritage.

And what a sight it was! The pomp, the circumstance, the grandeur of it all – it's enough to make even the most skeptical among us feel like royalty.