Kate and William travelled back to Windsor Castle in a carriage

Princess Kate watches Prince William at King Charles's first Garter Day service - best photos

The Order of the Garter service takes place at St George's Chapel, Windsor

Online Royal CorrespondentLondon

Updated: June 19, 2023Jun 19, 2023, 4:11 PM GMT+1

Monday marked another momentous occasion for the royal family as King Charles led his first Garter Day service at St George's Chapel in Windsor.

Charles, 74, was joined by his wife, Queen Camilla, 75, as well as the Princess Royal, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

The royals walked in procession to the Chapel, and after the service, departed by carriages for their return journey to the Castle. See the King and Queen's arrival in the clip below...

WATCH: King Charles and Queen Camilla smile as they attend Garter Day service

The Princess of Wales, 41, and the Duchess of Edinburgh, 58, were pictured chatting and laughing animatedly as they arrived at the service.

Kate and Sophie watch Order of the Garter proceedings from the porch — Kate and Sophie watch proceedings from the porch

Kate looked stunning in a bespoke polka dot dress by Alessandra Rich featuring a high neckline, long sleeves and a cinched-in waist. She completed her look with a statement Philip Treacy hat and Princess Diana's Collingwood Pearl Drop Earrings.

Sophie, meanwhile, looked lovely in a floral A-line dress by Emilia Wickstead adorned with bright, magenta flowers. The Duchess teamed her stunning garment with a pink Jane Taylor headpiece, a clutch bag and pointed heels. Sublime!

Kate and Sophie share a laugh on Garter Day 2023 — Kate and Sophie share a close bond

Kate in Alessandra Rich and Sophie in Emilia Wickstead on Garter Day 2023 — The royal ladies both wore pearl accessories

Monday also marked a special day for Prince Edward and Sophie, who marked their 24th wedding anniversary. The pair tied the knot at St George's Chapel in June 1999.

The Duke of Gloucester, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales during the procession

The Duke of Kent, Princess Anne, the Duke of Gloucester, Princess Alexandra and the Duke of Edinburgh are members of the Garter.

Prince William made history when he was appointed in 2008 as he became the 1,000^th Knight of the Garter.

Charles and Camilla at Order of the Garter service 2023 — The King and Queen arrive at the Order of the Garter service

Prince Edward and Prince William at The Order Of The Garter Service At Windsor Castle — Prince Edward and Prince William are Knights of the Garter

Kate and Sophie beamed at their husbands, William and Edward, at Order of the Garter — Kate and Sophie proudly beamed at their husbands, William and Edward

Last year, Camilla made her debut at the ceremony as a Royal Lady of the Order of the Garter.

King Charles and Queen Camilla return to the Castle after the procession

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair took part in the procession

And while the Duke of York is a Knight of the Garter, like last year, Prince Andrew attended the lunch but not the ceremony.

Prince Andrew stepped down as a working member of the royal family in November 2019 following his controversial TV interview with BBC Newsnight. Meanwhile, in January 2022, the late Queen Elizabeth II stripped Andrew of his honorary military roles.

Prince Andrew wearing his ceremonial robes — Prince Andrew at the Order of the Garter Service at St George's Chapel in 2019

The late Queen Elizabeth II's cousin, Princess Alexandra, 86, did not attend Monday's service "for her comfort".

During the service, the Baroness Ashton of Upholland GCMG was installed as a Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and the Lord Patten of Barnes CH was be installed as a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

King Charles leading his first Order of the Garter service — King Charles was all smiles during the service

The Garter service comes just two days after the King marked his first birthday parade, known as Trooping the Colour, in central London.

King Charles and Queen Camilla with Prince William, Kate and their three children in their first Trooping the Colour since the coronation — The royals at Trooping the Colour on Saturday

He was joined by senior members of the royal family, including three of his grandchildren, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The parade ended with a spectacular military flypast as the royals watched from the Buckingham Palace balcony in front of the crowds down The Mall.

What is the Order of the Garter service?

The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain, established by King Edward III nearly 700 years ago. The Order includes The King, who is Sovereign of the Garter, the Queen, several members of the Royal Family, and 18 Knights or Ladies chosen in recognition of their work.

Knights of the Garter are chosen personally by the Sovereign to honour those who have held public office, who have contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally.

King Felipe and King Willem-Alexander at Garter Day, 2019 — King Felipe and King Willem-Alexander attended Garter Day in 2019

Supernumerary, or 'Stranger' Knights, are overseas monarchs appointed to the Order, and are in addition to the twenty-four knights or ladies.

King Felipe of Spain and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands were both installed as members of the Order at the Garter Day Service in 2019.

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