Crowds delight at Duke's involvement at Garter service

Richard Cutcher • Published 19 Jun 2012 13:30 0 Comments

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THE Queen, joined by The Duke of Edinburgh, delighted thousands of people at the Order of the Garter service on Monday.

Prince Phillip, making his first public appearance in Windsor since being taken ill with a bladder infection at the start of the month, took a full part in the procession and ceremony.

The Duchess of Cambridge, accompanying Prince William, himself a Knight of the Garter, pleased the crowds as she joined The Duchess of Cornwall and The Countess of Wessex - all dressed in cream.

Greer Unterreiner and Abigail Shafer, both seven and from Windsor, were among the 4,000 members of the public cheering on the Royal Family and Knights of the Order inside the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Greer said: "I am a huge fan of the Royal Family and I think they are really cool. We have been inside the castle before, but it will good to see them up close."

Chris Shirtcliffe and Alex Treadgold [COR] travelled from Reading to watch the service.

Mr Shirtcliffe, 23, said: "Being the Diamond Jubilee year we thought it was a good time to watch such an historic event.

"We are real royalists and were so pleased to find the Duke of Edinburgh would be taking part. Full respect to the guy."

Air Marshal Ian Macfadyen, constable and governor of Windsor Castle, led the procession to St George's Chapel followed by The Military Knights of Windsor and a detachment of The Queen's Body Guard of the Yeoman of the Guard.

The Order of the Garter was founded by King Edward III in 1348 and is the country's oldest order of chivalry.

It is awarded to those who have contributed to national life, or have served the Sovereign personally, and include Sir John Major and Baroness Thatcher, although the latter was absent from the day's ceremonies.

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