Monday was Garter Day in the UK, meaning the annual service for the Order of the Garter. Many of the senior royals are members of the Garter, plus some non-British royals, like King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands and Spain’s King Felipe. There are also just well-connected or extraordinary British people – like Andrew Lloyd Webber – who are Garter knights. Every year on Garter Day, the knights of the Garter gather in Windsor for a service at St George’s Chapel.
This year, Garter Day was attended by King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Anne and Prince Edward, all of them Garter knights or whatever. The Duchess of Edinburgh does not belong to the Order of the Garter, but she was still there to show her support for her husband. She spent most of her time with William though, because William went stag to the event. No Princess of Wales – she wasn’t scheduled to appear, so it’s not like her absence was a last-minute scandal or anything. She’s not a Garter lady-knight or anything, but like Sophie, she usually comes out to support her husband.
So what can we gather from the Garter Day photos? Sophie is really doing the most to cozy up to an angry egg. Edward and William really resemble each other these days. William is fine with hanging out with Edward & Sophie too, he rode in the carriage with them and he and Sophie spent more time together than Sophie and Ed. Camilla still looks like the cat who got the cream. Charles looked a bit perkier on Garter Day than at Trooping. William looked perkier too – it seems like Kate’s absence actually makes everything run smoother, huh? And I still kind of hate-respect how Camilla actually rocks the velvet cape and white plumage.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
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- Britain’s Prince William, the Prince of Wales, and Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, arrive at the Order Of The Garter Service at Windsor Castle in Windsor, Britain, June 17, 2024.,Image: 882372215, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Isabel Infantes / Avalon
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- A service for the Most Noble Order of the Garter was held in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, Following the service, The King and Queen and Members of the Royal Family departed by carriage Picture: Arthur Edwards.Lord Lloyd Webber and Prince William and Prince Edwards the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester,Image: 882372470, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Arthur Edwards / Avalon
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- A service for the Most Noble Order of the Garter was held in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, Following the service, The King and Queen and Members of the Royal Family departed by carriage Picture: Arthur Edwards.Lord Lloyd Webber and Prince William and Prince Edwards the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester,Image: 882372499, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Arthur Edwards / Avalon
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- Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive for the Order of the Garter service, which is held at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Monday, June 17, 2024. The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry, established by King Edward III nearly 700 years ago. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool),Image: 882372629, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Pool, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Kirsty Wigglesworth / Avalon
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- Britain’s Prince William, the Prince of Wales, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, talk as they leave following the Order Of The Garter Service at Windsor Castle in Windsor, Britain, June 17, 2024.,Image: 882391812, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Isabel Infantes / Avalon
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- Britain’s Prince William, the Prince of Wales, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, leave following the Order Of The Garter Service at Windsor Castle in Windsor, Britain, June 17, 2024.,Image: 882391919, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Isabel Infantes / Avalon
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- Britain’s Prince William waves at the crowd as he rides in a carriage after attending the Order of the Garter service, which is held at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Monday, June 17, 2024. The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry, established by King Edward III nearly 700 years ago. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool),Image: 882392260, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Pool, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Kirsty Wigglesworth / Avalon
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- NMA ROTA/ JONATHAN BUCKMASTER/DAILY EXPRESS KING CHARLES & THE QUEEN A service for the Most Noble Order of the Garter will held in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on Monday 17th June 2024. The installation of the new Companions of the Order will take place during this service. Following the service, The King and Queen and Members of the Royal Family depart ed by carriage to return to the Castle. Earlier in the day, there was a private Investiture in the Garter Throne Room, Windsor Castle, where The Duchess of Gloucester and three new Companions to the Order of the Garter were invested:,Image: 882392715, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Jonathan Buckmaster / Avalon
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- Prince William talks with Sophie Wessex on the steps of St George’s chapel in Windsor castle at the conclusion of the annual order of the knights garter ceremony. Photograph by Richard Pohle,Image: 882396945, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Richard Pohle / Avalon
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- Image Licensed to i-Images Picture Agency. 17/06/2024. Windsor , United Kingdom. Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh , leaving the Garter Day service at Windsor Castle,United Kingdom.,Image: 882397070, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Licenced to i-Images Picture Agency. All Rights Reserved. UK copyright law applies to all print & online publications. i-Images space rates apply to all images. Magazines contact agency for fees before use. Images Single use only then repro fees apply. Info@i-images.co Tel: 07860204379, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Stephen Lock / i-Images / Avalon
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- Image Licensed to i-Images Picture Agency. 17/06/2024. Windsor , United Kingdom. Prince William arriving for the Garter Day service at Windsor Castle,United Kingdom.,Image: 882397125, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Licenced to i-Images Picture Agency. All Rights Reserved. UK copyright law applies to all print & online publications. i-Images space rates apply to all images. Magazines contact agency for fees before use. Images Single use only then repro fees apply. Info@i-images.co Tel: 07860204379, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Stephen Lock / i-Images / Avalon
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- Camera Press Rota 04604297. King Charles and Queen Camilla attend the Garter Ceremony at Windsor Castle.,Image: 882411942, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Camera Press Rota, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: David Dyson / Avalon
That hat fits so high on William’s giant 🥚 of a head, he could have a whole roast chicken stuffed in there for a snack later. Not the best look for him, and he’s got decades ahead of him having to put it on and parade about.
Roast chicken 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I don’t know, he’s got hair, finally!
My first reaction to that hat was laughter. He looks like such a complete dork! I guess he doesn’t realize how embarrassing that look is. His royal dresser or whatever just told him oh sir, you have the puffiest and bestest plume in all the land! Your robes and ropes and tassels and chocolate medals only accentuate the look! You definitely don’t look like a Harry Potter character!!!
Talking of hats, I watched the parade to check – Camilla was the only person who had bolstered her weird hat so it sat up higher on her head – either that or she had a different one from everyone else.
Also – I’ve observed this before about Camilla but something is not right with her. She seems to have difficulty walking – she’s kind of shuffling along and when they went up the stairs to the chapel she was the only one who had to hang onto the hand rail and help herself up with it. In the documentary about the coronation she also struggled – sometimes apparently having difficulty moving her mouth and in other shots making wide ‘yawing’ motions with her mouth before she could speak. Combined with that odd trip to a retreat in India for a woman who apparently hates flying, I think she may well have had a mild stroke. She was never like this a few years ago.
She’s also been visibly tremoring at various events – head nodding and hands shaking.
We’ve heard she’s got bad arthritis. I have that, major arthritis all through spine, pelvis, feet legs and I’m not super stable and always use a rail. Not sure what the other issues are unless it’s like early parkinsons?
She has arthritis and osteoporosis — I know we all laugh and say she’s had too many G&Ts at breakfast but it is very painful. That’s why she doesn’t like to travel much and has a tough time standing for long periods of time. Mr. Jaded’s hands shake from arthritis and nerve damage from playing drums and guitar for almost 60 years. It takes its toll.
Ha she given up the juice now ? There were rumours her regular secret visits to India were ordered by KC to dry her out and one was only let slip after her plane had a problem. She seemed to have an early day big beaker of ribena at the D-Day celebrations.
Camilla is almost 77 years old so it’s quite likely that she has some age-related conditions. Most people do.
There was a mention a few months ago she had early stages Parkinson’s. But I can’t remember where I saw it
QEII used to look fierce at this. She had plenty of time to work on her looks!
Pleeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaassssssseeeee I beg of you put a picture of William wearing that silly hat in all future Egg with a feather posts pleaseeeeeeeeee
They look like characters from a high school Shakespeare play. 😭😭 Why can’t they modernize at least the clothes??
I know some people think the British do this sort of pageantry well, but honestly it looks goofy in 2024. The outfits just look cheap. Like how everyone looked cheap at Chuck’s clowning. Also, none of them have the range to carry this sort of thing off. One thing I will credit QEII for is that she knew how to give you royal. She looked good in these cloaks, robes, etc. Her coronation photos are stunning. This current crew is not of that era, and they look silly trying to hold on to the trappings of it.
Sid, that is my feeling as well with these photos. There is no place for this in modern society. Especially since there doesn’t seem to be ANY other purpose than just parading around like buffoons. I would imagine in the olden days, these “special” people actually held some sort of meeting or DID SOMETHING after they gathered. But now, the sole point is to play dress up and ride through town in fancy carriages. It all seems so utterly pointless.
Yes! Between this and the coronation, the most striking thing for me is how cheap all these outfits look through modern lenses. They look a little more fancy than a choir robe at a neighborhood church, but not as nice as something you’d wear to graduation. Ridiculous.
I was thinking the same thing QEII wore it well, she had such dignity even though I don’t agree with the monarchy, she made you want to leave it alone.
Camilla in QEII’s style robe is a different entity.
The robes and hats are awful and look cheap, the shoulder ribbon has frayed edges sometimes. It’s cosplay ren Faire.
They look like a medieval cos play cult.
I think so many think QEII wore these robes better for two reasons – one, everyone was just used to seeing her in these kinds of robes and outfits, she was in something similar several times a year between Parliament and these formal events. so I think we just associated these looks with her and when you see someone wear something a few times a year for 70 years, well, it starts to seem more normal.
I also think she was the link for many between the old times and the new – so it didn’t seem weird that she would wear something similar to what her grandfather wore, who became king in 1910. There was a link there that I think made it seem more appropriate and less cosplay. And you could argue that Charles is now that link, but he’s just……not.
The Bristol Renaissance Faire makes the BaRF look like lightweights. Fun times.
https://renfair.com/bristol/
The British monarchy has always had such a dodgy concept of what “modernizing” entails, though. They’d probaby end up fixating on one bizarre, anarchronistic detail of traditional court dress and stick with it for far too long. Like during the Regency period, until Queen Charlotte’s death, 18th century-style panniers were a required part of court dress for women, so they were forced to wear fashionably Empire-waisted gowns…with hoops that jutted out right under the boobs.
https://candicehern.com/regencyworld/court-dresses-overview/
Thank you for the link @Miranda!
Thank you, Miranda! Now I understand where the ostrich plumes came from😊
Modernize!! you are joking, change things from what they have always been, never! shock, horror, probe, what would the Daily fail and the Excess say,
TBH I don’t think the Royal Pandas can modernize because they are such a deeply anachronistic thing. They are pretty useless; set dressing at best. Even among European monarchies, they’re pretty useless. So how could they change to be more modern? If they act like normal people in the 21st century, then what is their point?
Remember when Philip was asked to define his job and he couldn’t? That’s the central problem – the royals exist as a link to a past that fewer and fewer people are fond of.
I’ve always believed that this event is one of the first ones William will get rid of when he’s king. In Garter Day photos, particularly when Kate is watching, he *always* looks like he knows how stupid he appears in that getup and doesn’t even try to hide his contempt for it.
I know, I know, tradition, but I don’t think Bill will giveAF. I think he’ll strike it from the calendar immediately and never look back.
Most of these events date back only to Queen Victoria, like 150 years back and not medieval times, as she saw the Royal family wain in popularity. They came up with all sorts of pomp and circumstance, as a way to make it seem like Royals were above everybody else, with their faux titles, medals and sashes. All these knight titles may have started back in the 1400’s, but these Royal events are quite new. It’s literally Royal theatre.
Plumes are too large. William likes playing dress up. He looks more at ease without Kate there
I should have kept reading before commenting, but yes, he does look more at ease without Kate there. Whenever she’s there, it’s like they’re both trying not to laugh at how ridiculous he looks.
Have they stopped killing birds for their hats?
Old Soph looks like she has got the hots for Willie .
Ewww I saw that too. Looking adoringly up at him while poor hubby Eddie stands to the side without a clue.
I don’t care for Sophie, but I think it was to take the focus off Kate’s absence.
I don’t think so. I think O’l Soph is crawling on her belly to be in the good graces of the next person to hold the power of the purse. That’s her game. She can’t make it on her own outside the fold.
I agree. this is Sophie securing her financial future, and honestly, I can’t criticize her overly much for it. She knows she can’t make it outside the Firm at this point, so she’s going to do what she has to in order to ensure her position in the Firm.
She’d never have to work or worry about money, ever. Edward would have at least one lucrative trust fund from his mother. She may not be able to keep that mansion owned by the Crown Estate though.
@DDDDC I don’t know. people insisted for years that the QM established trusts for all her great-grandchildren only for Harry to shoot that down and say he didn’t get any money from her. You would think she would have left them something in a trust, but these people are so weird, I don’t think you can assume that.
@Becks: Not the QM, but Elizabeth II. The QM didn’t have that much to leave, hence QEII paying all her debts. I think we can assume that EII provided for her children. There is just no way that the late Queen’s children would be on struggle street. I think you may be thinking about Andrew’s situation and the media attention as to how he is skint. The issue is that the royals don’t like to spend their own money, just the public’s, so they cry poor.
Anyone can provide in a fixed trust up to, I think, 7 years before death to avoid inheritance tax. The land of course must go to the presumptive monarch. I’m no expert, however, I’m sure the late Queen had enough advisers to ensure it happened. Don’t forget, we are not permitted to view their wills for 100 years or whatever …
Yes, I know who you are referring to. My point was that people made assumptions for years about the QM (and if she had any money to leave I would assume it would have come from QEII anyway) and those assumptions were false.
So while it is nice to think “oh of course QEII took care of her children” but I just don’t think we’ve seen a lot from the family that indicates any of them, including QEII, would have handled their wills, trusts, estates, all that, like you would expect a normal billionaire family would.
I think if they were all independently wealthy after the queen’s death, including Andrew, we would see different behavior from them. And it certainly seems that Andrew’s inability to maintain royal lodge may be what gets him out of there, so I don’t think he’s just pretending he can’t pay. I think what may happen is that Charles pays to maintain it to keep Andrew happy.
But of course none of us know, we are all just making assumptions.
Right, none us know. I get your point. But the fact is the royals want the public to pay for their lifestyles, so I’m convinced there are billions squirrelled away in offshore bank accounts in tax havens. I believe EII was exposed as to this several years ago. It might have been the infamous Panama Papers, too lazy to google.
I think she might be as worried about her children’s future than about herself. Both she and Edward have at least one foot on the gravy train; but come to think about it, it doesn’t seem like there’s a clear picture of how Lady Louise and her young Slytherin brother will adult. Are they supposed to apply for jobs? Where will they raise families? Will they face having to choose between paying for their security or have none?
(Yes of course these are problems of the1% ).
Those kids might be as grounded as it can be expected or not want the royal life; same way they might still not realize full extent how incredibly sheltered they are. It is said that Camilla is also pushing to secure at least property for her own kids and grandkids.
If there’s anyone thinking about these issues is Sophie; since Edward was born royal and entitled. But he hasn’t looked well for a while, he seems to keep a lot to himself and he’s not exactly a favourite within BRF.
@DDDC oh no argument from me there, there is a lot more money squirrelled away than they want anyone to know about – but I’m not sure how much of that is Edward’s vs Charles, you know? And Charles isn’t sharing the wealth if its in his name, unless its a ploy to control family members, which doesn’t seem to be the way QEII operated.
@Becks: I hear you. To avoid inheritance tax, apparently to “preserve the wealth of the BRF” *rolls eyes*, most of any monarch’s wealth has to be transferred to the presumptive monarch. As I said, there was a scandal a few years ago about EII’s secret offshore bank accounts or some such thing …
I think also that Sophie wants to remain in the limelight. She seems to revel in it. But, sure, she wants to keep getting financial benefits. But that is not going to do her any good because the money doled out by William will be “piecemeal”, not lump sum. The main financial benefit, I suppose, would be to keep that ridiculously-sized mansion.
She knows where her future bread is buttered.
She and hubby will need to be on the royal dole for decades to come to be able to maintain that oversized estate of theirs. Better ramp up the azz kissing of the nephew, especially in light of Chuck’s cancer diagnosis.
Sophie has always come across as ambitious and I was always convinced her marriage was very much one of convenience – Edward was never into the ladies shall we say.
And I remember when Diana was around and she and Sophie were always compared because of a certain similarity of appearance. Sophie clearly didn’t like her and was probably pleased when she left the scene.
Makes you wonder if her close friendship with the late Queen was cultivated to secure position as well. Can’t help being cynical with these people.
Ole Soph got caught on camera disparaging the Queen, calling her an old dear or something like that, back when she was trying and failing at working and being royal at the same time. She’s been pole dancing for penance ever since.
It really chaps some Windsor pasty ass that Harry and Meghan succeeded where every other Windsor failed.
Agree with everyone about Sophie securing her future by getting on with William. At the end of the day though, what struck me, is that he actually looks at her and speaks with her and just acts somewhat natural around her. As opposed to the way he was at trooping, standing stiff and barely looking in his wife’s direction. I’m gonna guess Sophie is very flattering in whatever she says to him.
She probably tells him and handsome he is, since that might be a sore point for him since his looks went down the hill.
LOL@GT – thanks for the much-needed laugh!
I was pondering that, too, looking at these pics, and it could be both!
She’s definitely most interested in securing her financial future and staying on William’s good side, but it’s also possible that she’s been…taken in by the way he always seems to treat her kindly, and there doesn’t appear to be anyone else he acts that way toward all the time.
Sophie might have been convinced that she’s “special” and developed a little crush on Normal Bill, lol. He DOES look just like a younger version of her husband.
She’s trying to find a hobby of Wills that she can proclaim one of her children loves too. Maybe he can start carriage racing with Lady Louise (or whatever Prince Philip did).
I don’t know about the hots, but the contrast to how he and his wife usually interact at these things is striking. Maybe that’s what seems so remarkable here.
The looks she gives Will are a lot of things. Maternal is NOT one of them.
I can’t stop laughing – they all look like idiots to me
They really, really do. They also all just look so sloppy! Can’t they get better tailored robes? Or just dress in regular clothing and give themselves another sash or something.
When you’re born perfect, you don’t need to look perfect. Precision and neatness are a sign of lower class.
Eurydice, you mean like Kate, she always looks precise and neat.
@rosa mwemaid – lol, exactly.
Same. It’s honestly so funny that they’re still doing this in 2024
@SussexWatcher, if they gave themselves any more sashes (or fake medals), they’d tip over, lol
That third to last photo of Prince Edward sitting next to Sophie. Is he strange looking or is it just my imagination – the ears – the eyebrows??? Like some large goblin.
He is very unfortunate looking. He and Willy are tied for the biggest glow down in history.
Edward was SO HOT as a teenager and in his early 20s. He reverse Longbottom’d big time.
None of them age well. Lack of melanin and lack of good bone structure. And of course, the baldness gene.
I’m willing to put my hand in the fire and say that if anyone had told the world that W would resemble Edward this closely and he’d look a lot less like his mother, no one would believe that person. The way they look so much alike is uncanny.
It’s been clear that Sophie is a W whisperer. She might be showing a talent for costing up to the power players in the family, but aunt and nephew genuinely seem to like each other and work well together.
The fact that these people are sort of cosplaying the Renaissance is kind of very modern (the cosplaying bit) and completely out of touch (they wouldn’t call it cosplaying).
Sophie knows how to handle W.. They get on. And at least someone who is “senior” likes him. She married for position so she gets that world.
She probably never challenges him, suits him down to the ground.
The cosplaying/not cosplaying is kind of what I’m thinking – like, there is a way to carry on history and tradition (and I get that this Order is very old and they want to honor that) without looking like……this. Maybe just have the robes on display while they wear something more modern, I don’t know. But they look ridiculous.
In the ancient times, monarchy ceremonial and etiquette rolled with the time and was a lifelong drill. Those people devoted absurd amounts of time to rehearse, perfection and update their rites. That sh*t was their yoga.
They spent hours looking at their own bossy reflections in gilded floor-to-ceiling mirrors, amongst compliments from their etiquette lords, ceremony masters, choreographers and courtiers. They came out of those rooms believing they were literally demi-gods, and they killed it on celebration day.
Not to mention there was no movie industry employing millions of $ on costume design and manufacturing, for a reference on a much better execution.
The “W Whisperer” is a great way to put it. I have no idea what she says to him, but he always seems genuinely calm and relaxed in her presence. Which for William is seriously unusual.
I know she’s been kissing his ass for years to secure her family’s financial future, but it seems like more than that, somehow. They really appear to have a special bond.
When they did that event together last year, it was *striking* how happy and relaxed he looked compared to how he appears when he’s out with his own wife. They looked like a couple in so many of the photos.
Sophie can be criticized for a lot (a LOT) of things, but she seems to be the one person in the family who’s successfully figured out how to “manage” William.
Sophie might have been put on William watching duty. Having a point person to keep an eye on the person having a crisis is pretty common.
Not me, I always saw the resemblance. But I must say Will looked a lot like his paternal grandfather on the balcony when he turned and look down.
They look like a gathering of evil wizards from the Windsor School of Racism and Bed-hopping. Yuck to them all.
Hahahahaha!
Hate to have to agree with you. Bed hopping isn’t important, but the racism is.
Then the inevitable harry could have worn those robes and feathers,too
The thing is, Harry would have brought his natural swagger and charisma – and wouldn’t have taken it all so seriously – so I’ll bet he would have looked a million times better than this lot.
I think harry would have rocked those ridiculous outfits. Partly because he doesn’t take himself too seriously.
I don’t know why but when the late Queen did these things, it looked very regal to me. Now, it seems like these people live in an absurd, made-up world. A silly world that they take very seriously.
Yeah, the Queen was just totally different. She was like a relic (and I mean that in a positive way, in this particular context!).
Somehow, she could pull this kind of thing off in a way that the others…cannot.
I have no idea if there’s some way to still celebrate Garter Day while at the same time not having the participants look so ridiculous, but if there is, they certainly haven’t figured it out (although I doubt they’ve tried; the one thing we know for sure about them is they’ll use the same damn playbook for centuries).
I wonder if my issue is that everything they do anymore seems so self-congratulatory. The Queen was always visible, visiting different causes and being a (sort of) part of everyday British life. She paid attention to what was real for the population, and it made these events seem like special occasions. The pageantry felt fitting.
Pageantry (and squabbling) is all this bunch seems to care about. To me, they come across as vapid, entitled, out-of-touch, and completely consumed by their own weird little bubble.
I just feel that everything has changed since the Queen died. There’s no uniting force since she’s gone – no authenticity if you like – and everyone now seems out for themselves. With the Queen in attendance, even the most silly, outdated ceremonies seemed somehow solemn – now they just seem laughable. Maybe I’m just getting old!
Another ridiculous event. Yawn.
Sophie has to be nice to William because he’s going to holding the purse strings when he becomes King.
Some commenter on another site said that Sophie is so lovely and is probably keeping Kate company at home when William is away on royal duties. I imagine Sophie as the type of person who plays the role of Kate’s confidante, William’s wise counsellor, Camilla’s gossip buddy etc etc – all the time pretending to be everyone’s friend and gathering the dirt on them at the same time. I wouldn’t trust her at all.
I’ll never forgive her for the way she’s dressed Louise through the years haha.
Kate does not have close women friends and I doubt she trusts Sophie and vice versa
Comic Con for the Brits
@Maggie, I wouldn’t put it past Sophie to try, but for some reason I feel like Kate would only ever truly trust her mother and Pippa (and who even knows about Pippa anymore! They haven’t seemed close in a while, although who knows what goes on behind closed doors), and wouldn’t want any other female members of the BRF around.
And Kate would also probably be afraid (with good reason!) that if she spent time with Sophie, Sophie would report right back to William, since staying in William’s good graces is clearly Sophie’s priority.
I’m with you…imo Sophie is a selfish phony, out for herself, and will try to ingratiate herself to everyone, but as you said, it’s just for dirt-gathering purposes. I have no idea why I have this impression of her, but she’s done enough shady things over the years that I wouldn’t trust her as far as I could throw her.
I don’t think Kate’s the brightest bulb, but I *do* think she’s smart enough to keep Sophie at arm’s length. Hopefully.
But the idea of her “taking care” of Kate while William is “working” does sound like some nice fanfic from a pro-Catherine site, lol.
They’re only on the same page when it comes to hating Meghan, otherwise they have no use for each other.
The main reasons they all look so giddy is a) they LOVE a good dress-up with ridiculous costumes, unearned medals, AND feathered hats and b) there is zero contact with anyone poor, common, or even middle class.
This is BRF Christmas!
Wonder if there’s a strong smell of mothballs when they all gather haha
Embalming fluid. And gin.
Oh god, you’re right! The scent of mothballs in the air around this crew must be overpowering!
I love it every year when Funny Hat Day comes around because then they all look like the fools they are. And we won’t see Kate again until Wimbledon. Then she’s done until Fall.
And of course Wimbledon will be work because she will hand out prizes,
Of course Wimbledon will be work because she will hand out prizes,
Unless she can worm her way into the royal tiara vault. If so, she will be *keen* to attend the state dinner.
Where is Ann? She was missing Saturday as well
She was at the TTC on a horse, but not on the balcony, probably fed up with doing it, or liked the whole family being there and doesn’t like the childish snubbing. A man’s birthday is a family occasion, not work.
She was on the balcony. she just doesn’t play the power games of trying to be closest to the monarch. I saw pictures of her talking to Louise.
There’s a picture of her talking to Louise on the balcony. People on xwitter are calling her the mad old aunt who thinks she’s an admiral 😹
Anne was neither missing Saturday or on Garter Day – she was involved in both.
Yeah, I saw some fawning headline about Anne on Saturday- how her horse “misbehaved,” but she handled it with “royal aplomb,” or some nonsense. She’s never that noticeable at Trooping because she’s dressed like all of the men.
You might have overlooked Anne, thinking you were seeing Nepoleon, but in fact Anne was in full uniform Saturday on horseback on the balcony.
They look so silly in those costumes. The term empty suits comes to mind.
What!!! The mere suggestion of the British, and not just the British Royal Family, no longer wearing funny hats is appalling. How is Princess Anne supposed to block people that have annoyed her without her plumed millinery? What will the barristers wear on their head to look silly in court? Where would we be without the parade of feathered fascinators perched atop the heads of all the sad non tiara eligible wedding attendees? How would we survive Ascot in the rain (and it ALWAYS rains) without our comically large hats, we need our hands free to hold our Pimms Cups. My god the children, we must insist on velvet riding helmets to protect their heads from falls off ill mannered Shetland ponies. Can you imagine no Harris tweed deerstalking hats, I mean Sherlock Holmes for goodness sake! On no, this nation of silly hats will not stand for any such attack on their plumage. And long live our future king in his very silly hat!
“Camilla actually rocks the velvet cape and white plumage”, is it because she looks like a circus horse with a giant feather on its head perhaps ?
@Lau, I think you nailed it 😭
So this is all there is to the rf. Dress up for a service, parade or state dinner, meet with the PM. Nice work if you can get it.
I agree with your hate – respect point. I can’t believe I’m saying this, and the only time I’ll say, camzilla looks more regal than Chuck in that cape and plumes. (Shudder)
The Duchess of Gloucester was mad a Lady of the order so she got the robe and the right to parade beside her husband instead of watching with the wives. Apparently, she is the first married in who is inducted, so “unprecedented” honour. Sovereign’s consort is always made a knight or a lady. That leaves Sir Tim, Sophie, and Kate as supporters on Garter Day. Of course, if Harry were still a “working” member of the family, he too would be a knight. All the late Queen’s children are members of the Garter. I notice Tony Blair finally made it in.
She is one of my favorites and has worked hard and uncomplainingly for the Firm despite marrying a second son who had qualified as an architect and was not planning to be a working royal. (His elder brother died in a plane crash. ) I’m delighted that she was granted this honor.
They look terrible. All of them. It looks so sloppy and unbalanced. Not a single photo of any of them with these cloaks or whatever draped properly. The gold is so yellow it looks like brass. Nothing about this looks nice. It’s all bringing up the days when fabric was so expensive many didn’t have it. They look like hoarders screaming “I have fabric and you don’t!” That’s what they like. A tangled mess of fabric. Not a proper uniform. Just so damn messy. Yuck.
This looks so ridiculous.
Everything is a church service! I’d be so sick and tired of going to church all the time-wearing those ridiculous costumes would make it even worse. Can’t say I blame Camilla or Wills for day drinking through these snooze fests!
They all look doofy and goofy. But I’m not a Brit. So what do I know?
One of the ways the feudal land owners who proclaimed themselves kings did to stay in power was get the church and the military on their side. Religion has always sided with the powerful.
This is just another opportunity for the royal family and their chosen ones to dress up in ridiculous outfits and parade around so everyone can see them!
So, how much do these silly outfits cost each? And how much does it cost for the entire annual ceremony? Storage and cleaning of the outfits? Staff to help them get dressed? Etc. Most importantly, aren’t there more critical things such money could be spent on, such as housing or school supplies and lunches for kids??
Oh please. Lesser mortals go to garter day. Except Camilla. She went because she killed the real Professor McGonagall and made Dumbledore add her to the will because you know she looks like she gets his freak on in ways his partner never would.
What a fop William is. How happy they all are to cosplay royalty. They’re like very, very expensive zoo or circus animals. Amusing sometimes and dangerous always.
Never has the late, great Hilary Mantel been more right: the royal family are pandas. Nice to look at, but expensive to maintain and ultimately unnecessary. High time for the UK to lose the pandas!
These royal costume parades are ridiculous & Chas the Chinless gets new ones to go with his pricey new carriages! Who do I call to get a used costume for my next Halloween or Mardi Gras party? Maybe The Firm donates used costumes to the Royal Opera?
Charles really got his ‘happy ending’ but not quite in the way he envisioned and his reign will now historically signify the decline and end of the Monarchy.
All this flouncing around in expensive costumes. Do the British people really care about any of this? What does this do for the average citizen and how much does this cost?
That hat: Who wore it better, Prince William or Puss in Boots?