Cancer-stricken King Charles’s comeback to Royal duties continues with Garter Day at Windsor Castle next week

King Charles is expected to attend the Garter Day service with Queen Camilla at St George’s Chapel in Windsor in a week’s time, Buckingham Palace confirmed today.

The service for the Order of the Garter on Monday, June 17 will see the installation of four new Companions of the Order including the Duchess of Gloucester.

Earlier in the day, there will also be a private investiture in the Garter Throne Room at the castle where the four new Companions will be invested. The other three are life peer Lord Kakkar, composer Lord Lloyd-Webber and Air Chief Marshal Lord Peach. 

Palace officials said Charles, Camilla and other members of the Royal Family will leave the chapel by carriage following the service to return to Windsor Castle.

There has been no confirmation on whether Prince William will attend, but his wife Kate is highly unlikely to be there as she continues her treatment for cancer. 

Charles has recently returned to public-facing duties while still receiving his own course of treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. 

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 Charles, who is Sovereign of the Garter, Camilla, several Royal Family members and up to 24 companions chosen in recognition of their work.

Companions 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.

The appointment of the Duchess of Gloucester, Lord Peach, Lord Kakkar and Lord Lloyd-Webber was announced on April 23.

At the time, Lord Lloyd-Webber described it as ‘the greatest honour of my life’.

Charles and Camilla at St George’s Chapel for the Order Of The Garter Service in June last year

The theatre impresario, whose hit musicals include The Phantom Of The Opera, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, said he was ‘humbled, grateful and, quite frankly, staggered’.

He is said to be the first person from the world of the arts and culture to be made a member of the Order of the Garter.

The appointment is the King’s personal gift, without advice from government ministers.

Lord Lloyd-Webber composed the anthem Make a Joyful Noise for the King’s Coronation last year.

The Garter honour is usually reserved for those who held public office such as former prime ministers, as well as those who contributed in a particular way to national life, have served the sovereign personally, or are members of the royal family or foreign royals.

The Band of the Household Cavalry parade towards St George’s Chapel to attend the annual Order of the Garter Service at Windsor Castle on June 19, 2023

The Duchess of Gloucester is a long-serving member of the working monarchy and is married to the late Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin the Duke of Gloucester. 

The order was founded in 1348 by Edward III.

Each year, Royal Knights and Ladies of the Order of the Garter gather at St George’s Chapel within the grounds of Windsor Castle for a colourful procession and ceremony.

Watched by crowds of onlookers, they walk down the hill to the chapel from the State Apartments, dressed in blue velvet mantles, red velvet hoods, black velvet hats and white ostrich plumes.

The order is limited to 24 ordinary members.

William, Kate, Sophie and Edward after the Order Of The Garter Service on June 19, 2023

The appointments are announced on St George’s Day as is the tradition, with St George being the order’s patron saint.

Members of the Order in attendance at last year’s ceremony included former prime ministers Sir Tony Blair and Sir John Major, as well as the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Duke of York, who is a member of the Order, did not attend.

After the service, a procession of four Ascot Landau coaches ferried away members of the royal family who waved to the crowds as they went past.

The ceremony was attended by 800 guests inside the chapel and 2,900 members of the public who had won ballot tickets to watch from outside.