His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima will visit Windsor on 17 and 18 June. On Monday 17, June King Willem-Alexander will be installed in the Most Noble Order of the Garter as a supernumerary Knight. He was appointed to the Order in October 2018 during a State Visit from the Netherlands to the United Kingdom. The King’s mother Princess Beatrix was appointed to the Order in 1989.
The annual Garter Day takes place each June and the members of the Order, wearing their habits and garter insignia, meet at Windsor Castle. For the new Knights, such as King Willem-Alexander, an investiture ceremony is held in the Throne Room of Windsor Castle in the morning.
Two senior knights will help Her Majesty The Queen place the garter around the left leg of the new knight and in the fastening of the riband and Lesser George about the body of the new knight, and in the adjustment of the mantle and the collar. After the ceremony, a state luncheon is held in the Banqueting Room, which is also attended by members of the royal family. After the banquet, all the knights and ladies, still in their habits, will move in procession through the castle and down to St George’s Chapel for a worship service.
The Most Noble Order of the Garter was founded by King Edward III in the 14th century. Membership in the Order is limited and includes the Monarch, the Princes of Wales, no more than 24 companion members and various supernumerary members. Her Majesty The Queen is known as the Sovereign of the Garter, and only she can grant membership.
