Members of the royal family arrive at Windsor Castle for Garter Day

The Duchess of Cambridge was beaming as she joined the Duke alongside Prince Charles and Camilla in a horse-drawn carriage to depart the Order of the Garter service today. 

Kate Middleton, 40, cut a chic figure in a stunning coat dress and matching £560 Juliette Botterill hat as she joined fellow royals including the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince William for the occasion, which is one of the most colourful events in the royal calendar.

She opted for a stunning £8,400 G. Collins & Sons tanzanite pendant necklace for the occasion, which she has worn on a number of occasion. She paired the stunning jewel with matching £6,100 earrings. 

Meanwhile the Countess of Wessex was pretty in a pink Valentino gown as she arrived at St George’s Chapel earlier today. 

Among the first arrivals were the Duchess of Cornwall’s son Tom Parker Bowles and his sister Laura Lopes, who were beaming as they waited outside the church in Windsor earlier this afternoon.

The mother-of-three, 40, looked stylish in a vibrant blue dress, which she paired with a navy fascinator and a colourful rainbow clutch. 

The siblings are in attendance as they prepare to watch Her Majesty the Queen do the formal investiture of the new Garter knights which includes their mother Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. 

New appointments are announced on St George’s Day but the chivalric and installation ceremonies take place every year on the Monday of Royal Ascot week, known as Garter Day. 

It comes as Prince William walked alongside his uncle Prince Edward in the procession today – amid claims he told the Queen and Prince Charles that he would pull out of today’s Order of the Garter ceremony if his uncle Prince Andrew was given a public role. 

Mother-of-three Kate swept her hair from her face as she arrived at the event, and showed off her natural beauty with a simple make-up look, pairing a light layer of foundation with smokey brown eye and pink lipstick. 

She has worn her dazzling jewelled earrings and necklace from G. Collins & Sons on a number of occasions in the past, including having dinner with President Obama at Kensington Palace in 2016 and while visiting The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), and the Nursing Now campaign in 2018. 

Adding even more height to her figure, Kate opted for a pair of £810 Aquazzura heels in blueberry. Made in Italy, the shoes feature a towering style that narrows into a sharp pointy toe and are finished with a glossy, heart-shaped chain at the heel.

Meanwhile Sophie also opted to sweep her hair up into an intricate up-do, donning a cream white fascinator for the occasion. 

The Duke of Cambridge’s alleged offered an ultimatum to his grandmother and father which reportedly led to the Duke of York being banned from the Windsor Castle event amid fears the crowds might boo him.

Andrew was not be seen in public during Garter Day, one of the most colourful events in the royal calendar, after the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge reportedly lobbied the Queen about his participation. The decision was clearly taken at the 11th hour, because Andrew’s name was on the order of service.

A source told the Evening Standard : ‘The Duke of Cambridge was adamant. If York insisted on taking part publicly, he would withdraw’. It would have also meant that his wife Kate would also not have attended.

Meanwhile Camilla’s daughter Laura also opted for blue for the royal outing, donning an elegant floor-length vibrant blue gown for the occasion. 

Although she prefers stays out of the spotlight, Laura enjoys a warm relationship with her step-brothers Prince William and Prince Harry, who both made a big effort to attend her wedding to to former Calvin Klein underwear model Harry in 2006.

In fact, Laura’s daughter Eliza was a flower girl to William and Kate when they wed in 2011.

Laura is a graduate of History of Art and Marketing from Oxford Brookes, and has pursued a career in gallery management, as well as a stint as motoring correspondent for Tatler in 2001.

In 2005, she co-founded the Eleven Gallery in Belgravia with Charlie Phillips and prefers to concentrate on her career and motherhood than courting the limelight.

Her husband Harry comes from suitably aristocratic stock as both his grandfathers were barons. He will one day inherit Gnaton Hall, near Plymouth and the 3,000-acre Skelpick estate in the Scottish Highlands. 

Recipients of the honour today chosen because they have held public office, contributed to national life or served the sovereign personally.

The appointment of Knights of the Garter is in the Queen’s gift and is made without consulting ministers.

The Queen is sovereign of the order and a number of other British and foreign royals are additional members of the order. 

It comes after Buckingham Palace said The Duke of York’s absence from the Windsor Castle procession and service was a ‘family decision’ amid fears that he might be booed over his links to Jeffrey Epstein and alleged abuse of one of his ‘sex slaves’.

Andrew was not be seen in public during Garter Day after the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge reportedly lobbied the Queen about his participation. The decision was clearly taken at the 11th hour, because Andrew’s name remains on the order of service.

A palace insider said that the decision to exclude Andrew from the public elements of today’s Garter Day was a ‘family decision’. 

While a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘The Duke of York will attend the investiture and lunch today but will not be part of the procession or service.’

But he was allowed to join the Queen at the formal investiture of new members of the Order of the Garter – including the Duchess of Cornwall and ex PM Tony Blair – and as well as the lunch afterwards.

Her Majesty will also miss the procession and service, due to her ongoing mobility problems – but intends to do the formal investiture of the new Garter knights including Tony Blair and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

It came amid reports that Andrew has pushed for a return to royal duties but his older brother Prince Charles and nephew Prince William had asked the Queen not to give in to the disgraced royal. Her Majesty apparently informed him to keep out of sight ‘for his own good’.

 Snubbed Prince Andrew heads to Windsor for lunch with Queen after royals made eleventh-hour ‘family decision’ to hide him from public view at today’s Order of the Garter ceremony amid fears he will be booed

The Duke of York – who missed the Jubilee celebrations a week ago because he had Covid – dramatically pulled out of today’s Order of the Garter ceremony, despite being a member of the ancient order of chivalry.

Charles and William were said to have blocked Andrew from appearing at today’s Order of the Garter ceremony after lobbying the Queen, according to The Sun.  

Andrew, 62, was stripped of his official duties at the start of the year as he prepared to pay a multi-million-pound settlement to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex slave Virginia Roberts Giuffre to keep her allegations of sexual abuse, which he denies, out of court.

In a last-minute U-turn, the prince backed out of attending public aspects of the annual ceremony at Windsor. He will still attend a private lunch with the Queen and other members of the order.

Buckingham Palace had insisted that Andrew would attend the ceremony, because the honour was given to him in a personal capacity by the Queen. 

But behind the scenes there was deep concern about the spectacle of the shamed prince walking in his robes in public. There were also fears he could be booed. 

The Queen is reported to have asked him to stay out of public sight and only attend private elements of today’s event. It also appears that his wish to represent her at Royal Ascot has been binned.

But despite this he remains ninth in line to the throne – and a Counsellor of State – meaning he will stand in for the Queen if she is incapacitated and Charles and William are abroad. 

Prince Andrew lives in the grounds of Windsor Castle and is said to have daily contact with his mother.

Weeks after she stripped him of his titles, the Queen asked him to accompany her to Prince Philip’s memorial service at Westminster Abbey in March, where he walked his mother down the aisle in a highly symbolic moment.

But palace aides – as well as his relatives – are said to have been clear that the strength of public feeling against over his links to Epstein, must preclude him from taking part in frontline royal duties.  

Despite his non-appearance today, the duke believes he should be included in other royal and state events, The Daily Telegraph reported.

‘The colonelcy of the Grenadier Guards was his most coveted title and he wants it back,’ a source said.

‘Having remained a Counsellor of State, he also believes he should be included at royal and state events. Most importantly for him is his status as an HRH and ‘Prince of the Blood’ and he feels that should be reinstated and his position recognised and respected.’

The Palace and Andrew’s spokesman last night declined to comment on the claims. But one royal insider suggested that, whether he had asked or not, there should be no expectation of being welcomed back.

The insider said the duke could ‘lobby all he wanted, if indeed he has, but whether he would ever get anything back is an entirely different matter’.

An aide said the statement from January in which he was stripped of his roles ‘with the Queen’s approval and agreement’, still ‘speaks for itself’.

Prince Charles is understood to be prominent among those who feel he must be kept at arm’s length to avoid damaging the entire institution of the British monarchy.

Andrew became Colonel of the Grenadier Guards five years ago after his father, Prince Philip, stepped back from public life – and is said to have particularly enjoyed the role. 

It is claimed he wanted to wear the formal uniform of the rank at the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral last year, prompting a decision that all royal men would wear civilian morning coats to avoid any embarrassment.

A royal source said at the weekend that the ‘Andrew problem’ needed fixing. Another source told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Clearly at some point soon, thought will have to be given as to how to support the duke as, [away] from the public gaze, he seeks slowly to rebuild his life in a different direction.’

There was the suggestion that one option could see the duke spending more time in Scotland but a full-time move there is thought to be unlikely.

Royal biographer Angela Levin said: ‘Andrew should be ashamed of himself.

‘His demand to return to duty was outrageous. It clearly showed he was not concerned about what happened with his court case.

‘He was not found guilty – but, my goodness, there is a massive amount of grubbiness surrounding him.’ 

Prince Andrew has denied the allegations. 

It was previously reported that The Queen has been holding secret talks with the Duke of York and senior members of the Royal Family about how they can help Prince Andrew rebuild his life ‘away from the public gaze’. 

The Queen has held family meetings at Windsor Castle to establish what role the Duke could fulfil that would be acceptable to the public.

‘Clearly at some point soon, thought will have to be given as to how to support the Duke as, away from the public gaze, he seeks slowly to rebuild his life in a different direction,’ said the senior Palace source.

While it is understood that Andrew is determined to keep his Royal Lodge estate, one option could be for him to rebuild his life in Scotland.

The Palace source added: ‘There is, of course, a real awareness and sensitivity to public feelings. There is also recognition that the task of starting to support him as he begins to rebuild his life will be the first step on a long road and one that should not be played out every day in the glare of the public spotlight.’

It comes as William and Kate are set to swap the hustle and bustle of London to take up residence in leafy Berkshire, according to reports.

It is claimed that The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are set to move to a house on the Queen’s Windsor estate this summer – leaving behind Kensington Palace as their main residence.

According to The Sunday Times, the couple are set to take their son Prince George, 8, and daughter Princess Charlotte, 7, out of their current prep school in Battersea at the end of the school year.

George and Charlotte will then join their younger brother, Prince Louis, 4, at a new school in Berkshire in September, the paper reports.

William is set to turn 40 this week. The royal is reported to have joked privately that he is finding it ‘so daunting’. 

The move will see William and Kate leave Kensington Palace, which has been their main residence since 2017.

The couple moved their from their country home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk, where they had previously spent much of their time.

However, according to The Sunday Times, the pair will retain their property at Kensington Palace as their London home despite moving to Berkshire. Their press team will remain in west London.

The couple will also retain Anmer Hall, which the paper reports they will continue to use ‘regularly’. 

One friend reportedly told the paper that they plan to move there on a more permanent basis after their children are through ‘the school years’. 

‘They absolutely love it up there, it’s their happy place,’ the friend is reported to have said.

The move to Windsor means the Cambridges will be near to the home of the Duchess’s parents, the Middletons, who live 45-minutes away by car in the village of Bucklebury. 

It has long been reported that the couple could one day move into Windsor Castle. The Queen has spent much of her time at the Berkshire castle following the death of her beloved Prince Phillip.

However it is understood Prince Charles does not plan to spend as much time there when he becomes king.

It has previously been reported that the Prince of Wales plans to spend much of his time at Buckingham Palace during his reign.

Prince William and Kate were centre stage at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations last weekend, appearing on the royal balcony twice and during Saturday night’s Party at the Palace celebrations.

They were also joined by Prince George and Princess Charlotte as they brought the Platinum Jubilee celebrations to Wales while visiting concert rehearsals at Cardiff Castle. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with George, eight, and Charlotte, seven, met performers and crew involved in a special Platinum Jubilee Celebration Concert at the castl.

William and Kate seemed to encourage their shy-looking children to shake hands and introduce themselves to dignitaries as they arrived in the Welsh capital, though Charlotte was soon beaming. 

It was the young royals’ first official visit to Wales and one of the first times they have greeted and interacted with members of the public. 

Missing was Prince Louis who stole the show when he appeared on Buckingham Palace’s balcony with his family and the Queen after the Trooping the Colour ceremony.

William and Kate ‘will move family to Windsor in summer and Charles will give them the castle’ after Jubilee talks that also saw Queen plot future for the monarchy involving Andrew ‘sent to Scotland’

• William and Kate are planning to move to a house on Windsor Estate, according to report in the Sunday Times
• They are planning to move their children into a new school, but will retain their property at Kensington Palace
• It comes as it was today revealed Queen has been holding talks with Prince Andrew about rebuilding his life
• However one option on the table said to involve him leaving Windsor for Scotland to get out of the public eye
• Meanwhile, reports in The Sun suggest Harry and Meghan met Queen for 15 minutes during Jubilee weekend
• According to the paper, they introduced Lilibet to the Queen but palace aides kept the occasion ‘formal’ 

ByJames Robinson for MailOnlineand Kate Mansey For The Mail On Sunday

Big changes could be afoot for the House of Windsor this summer, with William and Kate reportedly set on a move to Windsor, while Prince Andrew could swap Berkshire for Scotland as part of a bid to rebuild his life.

Following family talks around the Queen’s recent Jubilee weekend, plans are now being put in place that could see significant changes to the lives of the royals later this year.

Possibly the biggest change will be for The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who are reportedly set to uproot their family from Kensington, west London, to Berkshire. 

It is claimed the couple are set to move to a house on the Queen’s Windsor estate  – leaving behind Kensington Palace as their main residence.

Meanwhile, The Queen is said to have been holding secret talks with the Duke of York and senior members of the Royal Family about how they can help Prince Andrew rebuild his life ‘away from the public gaze’.

With his recent US legal battle now over, the Queen has held family meetings at Windsor Castle to establish what role the Duke could fulfil that would be acceptable to the public.

While it is understood that Andrew – seen out horse-riding at Windsor yesterday – is determined to keep his Royal Lodge estate in Windsor, one option could be for him to rebuild his life in Scotland. 

While William, Kate and Andrew could all see big changes this summer, it appears to be little change for US-based Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

It is claimed the couple only secured a 15-minute meeting with the Queen over the four-day Jubilee celebrations last weekend, with senior royal aides reportedly describing the tone as ‘formal’.

According to The Sunday Times, as part of the Berkshire move, William and Kate will take their son Prince George, 8, and daughter Princess Charlotte, 7, out of their current prep school in Battersea at the end of the school year.

George and Charlotte will then join their younger brother, Prince Louis, 4, at a new school in Berkshire in September, the paper reports.

The move will see William and Kate leave Kensington Palace, which has been their main residence since 2017.

The couple moved their from their country home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk, where they had previously spent much of their time.

However, according to the paper, the pair will retain their property at Kensington Palace as their London home despite moving to Berkshire. Their press team will remain in west London.

The couple will also retain Anmer Hall, which the paper reports they will continue to use ‘regularly’. 

One friend reportedly told the paper that they plan to move there on a more permanent basis after their children are through ‘the school years’. 

‘They absolutely love it up there, it’s their happy place,’ the friend is reported to have said.

The move to Windsor will also see the Cambridges move closer to the home of the Duchess’s parents, the Middletons, who live 45-minutes away by car in the village of Bucklebury.

It has long been reported that the couple could one day move into Windsor Castle. The Queen has spent much of her time at the Berkshire castle following the death of her beloved Prince Phillip.

However it is understood Prince Charles does not plan to spend as much time there when he becomes king. It has previously been reported that the Prince of Wales plans to spend much of his time at Buckingham Palace during his reign.

The move comes as William is set to turn 40 this week. The royal is reported to have joked privately that he is finding it ‘so daunting’.

But he also reportedly hopes the move to Berkshire will give his family more freedom to roam when compared to the ‘confined’ London life.

It comes as the Daily Mail yesterday revealed how The Queen has been holding secret talks with the Duke of York and senior members of the Royal Family about how they can help Prince Andrew rebuild his life ‘away from the public gaze’.

The Duke will tomorrow attend the annual Order of the Garter ceremony and a senior Palace source confirmed meetings are underway behind the scenes to find a new role for him away from the spotlight.

The Queen’s second son was stripped of his military titles and HRH status in January as he prepared to face sexual abuse allegations, which he has always vehemently denied, in a civil lawsuit.

He agreed to pay a sum reportedly up to £12 million to settle the case.

With the legal battle now over, the Queen has held family meetings at Windsor Castle to establish what role the Duke could fulfil that would be acceptable to the public.

‘Clearly at some point soon, thought will have to be given as to how to support the Duke as, away from the public gaze, he seeks slowly to rebuild his life in a different direction,’ said the senior Palace source.

While it is understood that Andrew – seen out horse-riding at Windsor yesterday – is determined to keep his Royal Lodge estate, one option could be for him to rebuild his life in Scotland.

The Palace source added: ‘There is, of course, a real awareness and sensitivity to public feelings. There is also recognition that the task of starting to support him as he begins to rebuild his life will be the first step on a long road and one that should not be played out every day in the glare of the public spotlight.’

The Duke – who was absent from the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations last weekend after contracting Covid – remains a member of the historic Order of the Garter and will attend its annual ceremony at Windsor.

The Mail on Sunday understands that concerns remain within the Palace that any return to public life would be badly received and that the Queen will not reverse her decision to ban Andrew from official duties.

At the time, a statement said: ‘With The Queen’s approval and agreement, The Duke of York’s military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen.’

News of the discussions on Andrew’s future comes as he was branded an ‘absolute fool’ for becoming embroiled in a fresh row over money.

French socialite Isabelle de Rouvre – who at one time was owed millions of pounds by Andrew after selling her ski chalet in the Swiss resort of Verbier to him – made the comment amid new claims that he is involved in a £1.6 million debt battle connected to the property. Andrew is believed to dispute the amount of the debt.

It comes as reports today suggested Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met the Queen for only 15 minutes over the Platinum Jubilee.

During the meeting, the couple, who are now based in Montecito, California, introduced their one-year-old daughter Lilibet, who is named after The Queen, for the first time.

However, according to The Sun on Sunday, the meeting, which took place on Thursday as the Jubilee celebrations kicked-off, was kept ‘formal’ by Buckingham Palace aides.  

A source reportedly told the paper: ‘It was a quick in and out job. It was all quite formal.’ Buckingham Palace reportedly declined to comment when contacted by The Sun.

It comes as Prince Harry was spotted striking a pose this weekend as he enjoyed a spot of polo under the Californian sun, almost a week after arriving back from the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in London.

The Duke of Sussex, 37, played for his friend Nacho Figueras’ team Los Padres at the Cancha de Estrella Polo Club in Santa Barbara on Friday, in what was the first time he was seen out and about since returning to Los Angeles on June 5. 

After working up a sweat, the red-faced royal was pictured taking a break as he placed his hands behind his head and sunk into his right hip. 

He donned a green top, white trousers and black riding boots and knee pads as he basked in the typical LA heat, before being seen mounting his brown horse and putting on his helmet and protective goggles for another round of play. 

It comes after royal experts this week claimed that Harry ‘must have gone home feeling very depressed for what he has given up’, after he and his wife Meghan Markle decided not to be more visible in the Jubilee celebrations because ‘they did not have centre stage seats’. 

The Duke and the Duchess of Sussex, 40, missed both the Platinum Jubilee Party and Pageant – as well as the Epsom Derby during the four-day festivities. 

Meghan was not present for the game on Friday, which Harry’s team lost 12-8 to Dundee II. 

The couple made only one public appearance over the Jubilee weekend, despite flying in from the US with their two children – Archie and Lilibet.

They did not appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony during Trooping the Colour, and were also seemingly relegated to the second row during the Thanksgiving service.

Vanity Fair’s Katie Nicholl told True Royalty TV’s The Royal Beat that the couple weren’t at other celebrations because ‘they did not have centre stage seats’.   

Meanwhile, historian Hugo Vickers added: ‘Harry has given up being Captain of the Royal Marines, who were out in force. 

‘I think he must have gone home feeling very depressed for what he has given up.’

Katie said: ‘I honestly think it’s [because]… they knew that they wouldn’t be in that front row. 

‘And why did they leave the Royal Family? They left because they weren’t in the front row. I believe that’s why they weren’t at the other celebrations as they did not have centre stage seats.’