Princess of Wales shows support for Prince William at royal ceremony with sentimental jewelry
Catherine, Princess of Wales, offered her support to her husband, Prince William, during a royal celebration that revived a significant moment in her emotional journey. For the occasion, the princess chose a piece of jewelry with deep personal meaning.
Key Points of Kate Middleton’s Participation in the Order of the Garter
- Princess Kate showed support for Prince William during Order of the Garter Day, a traditional British royal event.
- In 2008, the future Princess of Wales made her first public appearance at this event, when she was still dating William, highlighting her growing integration into the royal family.
- At this year’s ceremony, the princess wore special earrings that had already been used at her own wedding.
The Princess of Wales was present at a crucial event for the British monarchy, displaying a piece of jewelry with great symbolic meaning alongside Prince William.
At 44, the princess accompanied her spouse and other members of the monarchy at the annual Order of the Garter ceremony, held on Monday, June 15, at Windsor Castle.
For the event, Kate opted for a monochromatic dress-coat set in a pale yellow tone, designed by London designer Patrick McDowell, complemented by a wide-brimmed hat by designer Jane Taylor. Both fabrics were produced by Suffolk-based Stephen Walters and Sons.
In addition to the outfit, she selected a striking pair of earrings from her collection: the same ones that adorned her ears on her wedding day to Prince William in 2011.
The earrings, designed by London jeweler Robinson Pelham, were an exclusive gift from her parents for the royal wedding. The diamond pieces feature an oak leaf-shaped pin, with an acorn suspended within a pear-shaped drop, reminiscent of the Middleton family crest.
Each year, the traditional ceremony takes place in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, celebrating Britain’s oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry.
With roots dating back to the Middle Ages, when King Edward III founded the Order of the Garter, drawing inspiration from the legends of King Arthur, the event also marks an important milestone in the history of the relationship between Prince William and Princess Kate.
Kate first attended the event in 2008, at a time when William, then her boyfriend, was knighted in the Order of the Garter. Her presence on the occasion was notable, as it symbolized a significant welcome to the future princess by the royal family, many years before her official engagement to William.
King Charles, Queen Camilla and other members of the Order of the Garter paraded in traditional blue velvet outfits and hats adorned with ostrich plumes for the ceremony. During the rite, the monarch confers the insignia of the Order on the new Companions in the Throne Room at Windsor Castle. The members and officers of the Order then attend a lunch hosted by the King before mass in St. George’s Chapel, where the new Companions are officially inducted.
Once the ceremony is complete, the royal party returns to the castle in elegant horse-drawn carriages.
The Order of the Garter is made up exclusively of King Charles, some senior members of the royal family and 24 knights and ladies, who are honored by the monarch in recognition of their public services. Current royal members of the Order include Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Princess Alexandra, the Duke of Kent, the Duke of Gloucester and the Duchess of Gloucester.
Former Prince Andrew, however, was excluded from this select group. In 2025, King Charles revoked his brother’s royal titles and honors, due to intensifying scrutiny over Andrew’s ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein. The former Duke of York, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, refutes any accusations of wrongdoing.
Order of the Garter Day was held just two days after the royal family gathered in London for Trooping the Color, the public celebration of the monarch’s birthday. On that occasion, Prince William and Princess Kate took their three children to the event, where they rode in carriages through the city’s streets and greeted the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
The royal family’s activities continue this week with Royal Ascot, a renowned annual horse racing event attended by several members of the monarchy.
