King Charles has completed another first for his reign and he had the support of one of his most loyal relatives as the historic moment took place.
The King attended the service for the Order of St. Michael and St. George for the first time as Sovereign of the Order.
And the Duke of Kent, 90, was at his side during the ceremony which took place at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The Order of St. Michael and St. George was founded by King George IV and honours people who have served their country overseas in a non military capacity.
It is an Order of Chivalry and members are referred to as Knights and Dames Grand Cross, Knights and Dames Commander and Companions. There are 125. Knights and Dames Grand Cross and 375 Knights and Dames Commander. The total number of Companions is 1750.
The reigning Monarch is always the Sovereign of the Order and its next most senior member is the Grand Master. That is currently the Duke of Kent.
The Grand Master is appointed by the Sovereign and Prince Edward was chosen by Queen Elizabeth II to hold the role. He too over as Grand Master in 1967.
The Knights and Dames Grand Cross wear a blue mantle, lined with scarlet silk, and collars made of gold featuring English lions and Maltese Crosses, interspersed with the initials SM and SG for the patron saints of the Order. In the centre are two winged lions of St. Mark holding a Bible and seven arrows which symbolises the Ionian islands. The Order of St. Michael and St. George was originally established to honour residents of the Ionian islands and Malta. The Order was revised in 1868, in the reign of Queen Victoria, when the Ionian islands became part of Greece. It developed into an honour for those working overseas but in a non military capacity.
Although King Charles became Sovereign of the Order in 2022, when he ascended the throne, this is the first time he has been to the service since then.
He was seen arriving at St. Paul’s in the bright blue mantle on May 7 for the ceremony.
The Duke of Kent has been one of the most loyal and long serving working members of the Royal Family, taking on public engagements for over 70 years. He was recently seen at Buckingham palace with King Charles and the Royal Family for the events marking the centenary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II. Along with his younger sister, Princess Alexandra, 89, he joined the tea party held at the Palace which also honoured others born on April 21 1926.
Queen Elizabeth II enjoyed a strong friendship with the Duke of Kent and asked him to accompany her at Trooping the Colour after Prince Philip retired from public life. In 2022, her Platinum Jubilee year, Queen Elizabeth took a salute at Trooping from the balcony of Buckingham Palace with the Duke of Kent at her side.
The Duke of Kent continues to carry out public engagements, even though he turned 90 in October 2025.
