Pretty in pink! Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh is radiant in a floral dress as she attends the Order of the Garter ceremony at Windsor Castle

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, certainly made for a beaming guest when she attended the century-old Order of the Garter ceremony at Windsor Castle on Monday.

The royal, 59, stunned in a blissful color combination of cream, pink and peach as she arrived at the traditional service at St George’s Chapel.

Sophie joined other senior royals, including the King and Queen and Prince William, at the ceremony commemorating the centuries-old Order of the Garter.

The stylish royal wore the Zimmermann matchmaker floral midi dress, featuring an intricate pattern of pink leaves and flowers.

She paired the look with a beautiful matching hat from Jane Taylor, previously worn at the Trooping of the Color in 2022 and a garden party last year.

On Garter Day we see Ladies and Knights of the Order of the Garter – the country’s oldest and oldest Order of Chivalry – descending the hill from the Castle’s State Apartments in Berkshire to St George’s Chapel, dressed in white plumed hats and dark blue velvets robes, watched by crowds of spectators.

Sophie was as calm among them as ever as she watched the royal procession pass by – including the King, Queen, Prince William and her husband Prince Edward.

Prince Edward greeted his wife graciously as the celebration passed outside the chapel.

Other royals at the traditional celebration commemorating the ancient Order of the Garter included Princess Anne and the Duchess of Gloucester.

The King’s appearance comes just two days after the Trooping the Color ceremony in London, where he was joined by fellow cancer survivor the Princess of Wales.

Queues of more than two hours had built up outside the castle this morning, with visitors bringing camping chairs as they prepared for a long wait to get inside.

While the main castle was closed to the public today, people lined up to catch a glimpse of those attending the service from 3pm at St. George’s Chapel on the grounds.

The service will see the installation of new Companions of the Order – including composer Andrew Lloyd-Webber, who has been appointed Knight Companion.

Theater impresario Lord Lloyd Webber, whose hit musicals include The Phantom Of The Opera, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, will also attend a private investiture in the castle’s Garter Throne Room earlier today.

Investments are also being made in the Duchess of Gloucester as Royal Lady of the Garter, as well as Lord Kakkar, Emeritus Professor of Surgery at University College London and Air Chief Marshal Lord Peach, both of whom have been appointed Knight Companions.

Created in 1348 by Edward III, the Garter is awarded by the sovereign for outstanding public service and achievement.

After the general election was called, Buckingham Palace said the royal family would postpone engagements “that may distract or divert attention from the election campaign”, but it was not a blanket ban and visits would be considered on a case-by-case basis. .

Last Thursday, Buckingham Palace announced that Baroness Manningham-Buller, the former Director General of MI5, had been appointed the new Chancellor of the Order of the Garter.

Lady Manningham-Buller, who served in the intelligence service for more than 30 years, including five years as director-general, was appointed to the role by the King.

The decision is a gift from the King, taken without consulting ministers, and from today the peer will become the first woman to hold this post since the office was created in 1475, and will succeed the Duke of Abercorn, who after twelve year to retire.

Lady Manningham-Buller sits as a crossbench peer in the House of Lords and was appointed Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth II in 2014, after retiring from MI5 seven years earlier.

The main focus of her work at MI5 was on counter-terrorism, both international and domestic, and during her tenure terrorists launched the 7 July bombings in London and terrorism risk assessments were made public.

Charles also appointed Lord Ashton of Hyde, a former Conservative chief whip in the Lords, to the largely ceremonial role of Master of the Horse.

The keeper was responsible for the sovereign’s horses, carriages and travel arrangements in centuries past and is today titular head of the Royal Mews, which oversees royal vehicles such as state Bentleys and carriages.

Lord Ashton will replace the serving Master of the Horse, Lord de Mauley, whose last major duty was to take part in the Trooping the Color ceremony, as holders of the post are present when the Royal Mews supports state events.