She stood with the Duchess of Edinburgh chatting to clergy and a nearby policeman for around 15 minutes before the Garter Knights appeared.
The Princess of Wales watched the Garter Day procession through the grounds of Windsor Castle – and gave a beaming smile to husband William.
Kate had a front row position for one of the highlights of the royal calendar, the Knights of the Order of the Garter walking through the grounds of Windsor Castle after their annual lunch.
Thousands of spectators lined much of the route from the royal residence in the upper ward down to St George’s Chapel where the annual service in celebration of the ancient chivalry order was held.
Among those in the procession were the King, the Queen, traditionally at the rear of the Knights, while further ahead was the Prince of Wales, Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Royal.
Other Garter Knights included former prime minister Sir Tony Blair, Lord Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, and West End musical impresario Lord Lloyd-Webber – all in their blue velvet mantles and black velvet hats with white ostrich plumes.
While waiting for the procession to begin from her vantage point of the chapel’s Galilee porch entrance, Kate acknowledged the waves from the public with her own as did the Duchess of Edinburgh.
The princess wore a wide-brimmed pale yellow hat by Jane Taylor, matching Patrick McDowell coat dress and earrings by Robinson Pelham.
She stood patiently with Sophie chatting to clergy and a nearby policeman on duty for around 15 minutes before the Garter Knights appeared, their way led by heralds in their colourful tunics.
William walked beside Edward and looked over at his wife who gave him a loving smile in return.
When the King passed a few moments later he looked over at Galilee Porch where Anne’s husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence also stood. Kate curtseyed as did Sophie and Sir Tim bowed his head.
The disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor attended last year’s Garter lunch but not the public elements of the day.
He has since been stripped of his Order of the Garter honour in light of his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and was not among the royals.
