Queen Leads Order Of The Garter

Queen Leads Order Of The Garter
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The Queen was joined by senior members of the Royal Family for the annual Order of the Garter service today.

Garter Knights walked through the grounds of Windsor Castle into St George's Chapel wearing their blue velvet robes and black velvet hats with white plumes.

The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of York and the Duke of Cambridge were among the royal party.

Hundreds of spectators flocked into the grounds for the occasion, enjoying warm sunshine.

The Queen's long train was held off the ground by two pages of honour as she and Philip were last to go into the chapel.

Recipients of the honour of joining the order are chosen because they have held public office, contributed to national life or served the sovereign personally.

The appointment of Knights of the Garter is in the Queen's gift and is made without consulting ministers.

Members include former prime minister Sir John Major, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, a past president of the Supreme Court, and Admiral Lord Boyce, a former head of the UK's armed forces.

The Queen is sovereign of the order and a number of other British and foreign royals are additional knights of the order, which include Philip, Charles and William.