Britain’s Queen Elizabeth led the Order of the Garter parade at Windsor Castle yesterday (15.06.15).
The 89-year-old monarch was joined by other Garter Knights, including her husband Prince Philip, daughter Princess Anne, sons Princes Charles, Edward and Andrew and grandson Prince William, for the annual ceremony, with crowds lining the streets for the procession to St. George’s Chapel.
All the knights wore traditional velvet robes and plumed hats for the parade, while two pages held the queen’s long train off the ground.
Recipients of the honour of joining the garter are chosen by the monarch without consulting ministers and are selected because they have held public office, contributed to national life of personally served the sovereign.
As well as the royals, other Knights of the Garter include former Prime Minister Sir John Major, Marshal of the Royal Air Force (RAF) Lord Stirrup, ex-Bank of England governor Mervyn King and Admiral Lord Boyce, a former head of the armed forces.
There is a limit of just 24 members of the order, plus royal knights, and no new knights were ordained this year.
The Order of the Garter was founded by Edward III in 1348 and is the oldest British order of chivalry.
Queen Elizabeth leads Order of the Garter parade
