Duchess of Cambridge leads royals in forget-me-not blue for Order of the Garter

It’s been a busy month for the Duchess of Cambridge. From the central four-day weekend of celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, to royal visits up and down the country, it seems the duchess still hasn’t put a style step out of place.

Kate, 40, stunned as she gathered with other senior members of the Royal Family at Windsor Castle on Monday for the first Order of the Garter investiture ceremony and celebrations since 2019.

The Duchess of Cambridge wore a bright forget-me-not blue coat dress by Catherine Walker in her go-to fit-and-flare shape, which highlights her toned silhouette.

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The duchess accessorised the blue ensemble with a coordinating fascinator from the London-based milliner Juliette Botterill, a scalloped clutch bag, and swapped out her usual court high heel shoes for a pair of Aquazzura slingback heels with a subtle embellished detail at the heel.

Kate also wore her matching set of pear-shaped sapphire and diamond earrings and necklace that match her famous engagement ring which previously belonged to Princess Diana.

Her dress’ designer, Catherine Walker, was also a favourite of the late Princess, who regularly wore Walker’s designs for public appearances until her untimely death in 1997.

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The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain, so set up by King Edward III after being inspired by the tales of King Arthur and the chivalry of the Knights of the Round Table.

Now, some 700 years later, modern-day Knights are both male and female, chosen from a variety of backgrounds, in recognition for their public service

The annual Garter Day is a traditional ceremonial procession of the Knights of the Order at Windsor Castle, with grand velvet robes, glistening insignia and plumed hats, ​and marks the investiture of any new Companions with the Order's insignia in the Throne Room.

This year, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Sir Tony Blair and Baroness Amos were installed as members of the Order of the Garter on Monday.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, was also in attendance, wearing a pale pink Valentino dress and a pale beige fascinator for the day’s celebrations. The Queen, however, did not attend the public procession, but was present with the new investitures in private.

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