The Princess Wears Patrick McDowell and Jane Taylor for Garter Day

The Princess of Wales chose a coatdress by Patrick McDowell for Garter Day in Windsor. 

The Princess with the Duchess of Edinburgh as they await the procession by members of the Order from Windsor Castle’s Upper Ward to St. George’s Chapel.

The Evening Standard noted the Princess “…stood patiently with Sophie chatting to clergy and a nearby policeman on duty for around 15 minutes before the Garter Knights appeared, their way led by heralds in their colourful tunics.”

The day begins with a private luncheon followed by the procession to St. George’s Chapel.

This People story offers background. 

The annual service takes place every year at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle to celebrate the oldest and most senior order of chivalry in Britain. In addition to having royal roots tracing back to medieval times — when King Edward III started the Order of the Garter because he was inspired by tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table

The membership is exclusive to King Charles, some senior members of the royal family and 24 knights and ladies recognized by the monarch for their public service. Royals who are currently part of the Order of the Garter include Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Princess Alexandra, the Duke of Kent, the Duke of Gloucester and the Duchess of Gloucester.

In this image, you can see Prince William and make out the Duchess of Gloucester in front of him.

More on the Order via the Royal Family site. 

Knights 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 annual Garter Day procession, where The King and the Knights process in grand velvet robes, glistening insignia and plumed hats, is one of the most traditional ceremonies in the Royal calendar. 

This photo shows Princes William and Edward, along with Princess Anne, and the Gloucesters. 

Here is a better view of the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh. The Princess of Wales smiles as her husband walks by. 

The King and Queen. 

A video shows the Princess and Duchess curtsying as the King and Queen process by them.

✨ The Duchess of Edinburgh and The Princess of Waleses curtsy as The King and Queen pass by them at Windsor Castle to attend the annual Order of The Garter service 💛💖

📸Emily Nash pic.twitter.com/CbcNV4s2BO

— Mariana – The Edinburghs Fan Account (@Mari_Edinburghs) June 15, 2026

We learn more about the elaborate robes from Robert Jobson’s Substack column. 

The robes come from Ede & Ravenscroft, royal robemakers since 1689 and the oldest tailors in the world.

They have made the Garter mantles for three centuries and still come to Windsor to dress the knights in person. Deep blue silk velvet, white taffeta lining, the cross of St George on the shoulder.

The Queen’s was supplied in 1947, when she was made a Lady of the Order as Princess Elizabeth. 

The Princess and Duchess sharing a laugh. 

The Daily Mail’s Rebecca English posted a video of the procession, which featured all members of the Royal Family except the Duke of Kent, who rode to the Chapel today. 

Members of the Royal Family arrive for the annual service of the Order of the Garter June 2026. pic.twitter.com/UzGzXfctJI

— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) June 15, 2026

The King, Queen, Princess of Wales, Duchess of Edinburgh, and Sir Timothy Laurence, the Princess Royal’s husband.

A wide shot shows the Royal Family as they exit the chapel.

The Prince and Princess outside the chapel.

And the Princess as she steps into the carriage. 

A big smile from Prince William.

The Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, and the Edinburghs as they step into their carriage. 

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh leaving the Garter Day Service with The Princess Royal and Sir Tim Laurence 

📸The RF Channel pic.twitter.com/LZGoawNzwf

— Mariana – The Edinburghs Fan Account (@Mari_Edinburghs) June 15, 2026

The Princess Royal and Duchess of Edinburgh. The Gloucesters. 

Now for our look at what Kate wore.

The Princess of Wales wore a soft yellow coatdress made in London by Patrick McDowell, per Emily Ferguson of The Express. The Wales Coat Dress (£1990, about $2700 at today’s exchange rates) showcases a lightweight damask fabric in a linen-and-viscose blend, woven specifically for this piece by the historic Stephen Walters and Sons mill in Suffolk. Below is the white version of the garment offered on the designer’s site. It is described this way online: “Designed to sculpt the body, it features a nipped-in waist and elegant hip pockets, creating a flattering silhouette that cascades to a mid-calf length.” The design includes notched lapels, princess seams, and self-covered buttons.

More on the design comes through this W article. 

…[the]coat-dress honored tradition while still subtly referencing one of the recent runway’s wildest trends.

While its coat-dress silhouette was inline with royal tradition (and Middleton’s own fashion history), its pannier-like waistline stood out. Designers, including Jonathan Anderson at Dior, Daniel Roseberry at Schiaparelli, and Duran Lantink at Jean Paul Gaultier, have been pushing panniers to editorial extremes on the runways. Middleton’s McDowell piece brings the silhouttes back down to earth.

This photo offers a clear view of the waistline. 

The FIT Fashion History site describes a pannier as creating “…a shape wide at the sides and flat at the front and back.” A better view of the notched lapels, self-covered buttons, hip pockets, and cuff buttons.

The dress beneath the coat appears to be made in matching fabric. I believe the fabric we see floating in the breeze when the Princess stepped out of her car is the coat lining.

Some readers may recall that the Princess presented Patrick McDowell with the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design last May.

The Patrick McDowell site notes, “Our collections are crafted from materials that are kinder to the planet and in ways that keep our makers and our clients in mind. We make-to-order pieces that fit and suit you perfectly. Designed and made in London, we work with the best artisans and cutters to create special collections from the finest materials. Each garment is made available in a limited quantity and individually numbered.” Here you see the Princess, Patrick McDowell, and the designer’s mother. This British Vogue piece offers the designer’s reaction to the Princess wearing the piece. 

“It has been a wonderful collaboration, developing one of my existing pieces with Stephen Walters, for Her Royal Highness,” McDowell shared with Vogue.

The Princess’s hat is by Jane Taylor, the Enid Boater Hat ($2711), in straw with an “…extra-large, slightly downturned brims” trimmed with a bow crafted from fabric by Stephen Walters.

Interestingly, Middleton Maven suggested this hat as a great choice for the Princess in a post last week. 

The Princess brought back her Emmy London Natasha Handbag ($615) in Blush and her Gianvito 105 Pumps ($850) in Bisque. 

We also saw the return of the Robinson Pelham bespoke earrings made for the Princess’s wedding day. The diamond earrings feature a central acorn and leaf inspired by the Middleton family’s coat of arms.  Here is one more photo from Garter Day 2026. 

I will see you again tomorrow if the Princess attends Royal Ascot!