Each year, members of the Royal Family gather for the Order of the Garter ceremony, an event that dates back to medieval times. Inspired by King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, King Edward III created his own group of knights, called the Order of the Garter. Today, King Charles, as Sovereign of the Garter, chooses who is admitted into the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain. And although Princess Kate isn’t a member just yet, she’s been attending the historic event before she was even engaged to Prince William.
Kate’s first appearance at the Order of the Garter ceremony—also known as Garter Day—was in 2008, when she was dating the future Prince of Wales. Since then she’s been a familiar face at the annual procession, and her Garter Day fashion follows a familiar formula. Whether she’s in Alexander McQueen or Self-Portrait, the Princess of Wales never fails to look sophisticated in a traditional coat dress or tailored blazer—no matter how warm the June weather might be.
