King Felipe VI of Spain will be installed as a Most Noble Order of the Garter on Garter Day, 17 June at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. His wife, Queen Letizia, will accompany him.
Both the King of Spain and the King of the Netherlands will be installed in St George’s Chapel as Supernumerary, or ‘Stranger’, Knights of the Garter during the service.
King Felipe, Queen Letizia, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands will join in the carriage procession after the service alongside The Queen – the Sovereign of the Garter – and members of the British Royal Family.
King Felipe was granted the honour during the 2017 state visit by Spain to the United Kingdom. Likewise, King Willem-Alexander was appointed during the Dutch state visit to the UK in 2018.
Felipe’s father, King Juan Carlos was appointed to the Order in 1988, and King Willem-Alexander’s mother, the former Queen Beatrix, was appointed in 1989.
The UK monarch appoints Supernumerary, or ‘Stranger’, Knights of the Garter to overseas monarchs. These are in addition to the 24 knights or ladies appointed by the Sovereign chosen in recognition of their work.
Earlier in the day, a private investiture will take place by Her Majesty The Queen to install Lady Mary Peters as a Lady Companion and the 7th Marquess of Salisbury, Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, as a Knight Companion. Lady Mary Peters served as Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast from 2009 to 2014. Robert Gascoyne-Cecil is a former leader of the House of Lords.
The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most prominent and senior order in the UK. It was established by King Edward III close to 700 years ago.
The Queen and senior members of the British Royal Family are in the order, along with 24 knights or ladies. Buckingham Palace describes the selection process, “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.”
