Prince William was today appointed as a Great Master of the Order of the Bath, following a procession through Westminster Abbey alongside his father, King Charles, both adorned in lavish crimson robes. The Prince of Wales attended this historic service for the first time, having been appointed to this ancient order last year by King Charles.
King Charles participated for the first time as sovereign of the order, which is bestowed upon members of the military or civil service for their exemplary work. This year, the order is celebrating its 300th anniversary. Both father and son, dressed in the order’s flowing satin robes, arrived separately at the Abbey’s Great West Door just after 11am, where they were welcomed by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle.
Inside the Abbey, Charles greeted his son warmly, with a friendly pat on his shoulder; before they shared a brief, light-hearted chat with the dean in the Chapel of Saint George. They then proceeded through the church with officers, knights and the Dame Grand Cross of the order before taking their seats in the Quire.
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Accompanying the King was his young page, ten year old Guy Tryon, the son of his godson, Lord Charles Tryon, and the grandson of the late Lady Dale Tryon, an Australian socialite who was close to the King during his younger years, reports the Mirror.
The service was led by the Dean, who read the lesson from St Paul’s epistle to the Philippians chapter 4, verses 4 – 8 and delivered the address.
During the ceremony, King Charles and Prince William made their way to the Henry VII Lady Chapel for the installation ceremony, which was broadcasted on television screens for the congregation. The ceremony took place beneath the banners of living knights hanging above the stalls.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier and Admiral Sir Philip Jones swore in as Knights Grand Cross of the Order and were installed, while General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, Lord Young of Old Windsor – Queen Elizabeth II’s former private secretary – and Sir Tom Scholar, took the oath but will not be installed until spaces become available.
In the chapel, the Bath King of Arms bowed to those being installed before they stepped up to their stalls. King Charles then presented the Book of Statutes to his son before the Prince and the Dean read the oath simultaneously. Each Knight then took the oath before bowing to the Grand Master.
After both the King and the Prince had made an offering of gold and silver at the altar, each Knight who had taken the oath turned towards the altar, behind Prince William, who drew his sword.
The Knights followed suit, holding their swords forward before the Prince’s sword was briefly laid upon the altar. They then processed back to the Quire to Elgar’s Nimrod.
Today’s outing comes just a few weeks after Prince Harry opened up about his strained relationship with his father and brother in a bombshell interview with the BBC. The Order of the Bath service, which takes place every four years, is traditionally attended by the monarch every other time, while the Prince of Wales, as Great Master, attends each service.
The King, as the Prince of Wales, last attended in May 2022. This year’s service was moved forward a year to align with the 300th anniversary, meaning the next one won’t be until 2030.
English