What a fantastic day! The first day of our week off and we’ve had a seriously memorable day.
We started boringly early this morning with a trip to the dentist. Both of us. For a check-up and a hygienist appointment each. Nothing except a clean for Noreen and one small filling done on the spot for me.
Back home at 10 and a short time to relax before getting dressed up for the afternoon: “Morning dress or lounge suit. Ladies are requested to wear hats.” it says.
OMG. But I don’t do dressing up. Does my suit still fit? Well I can just get into this one.
“What are you going to?”
“This is Ascot week.”
“But Ascot starts tomorrow.”
We have been given tickets (invited if you will) to attend the Service of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in St George’s Chapel, Windsor which is of course a royal, nay a Court, occasion.
“How?”
Well we just happen to know one of the Heralds of Arms, purely socially; he also happens to be Secretary to the Order of the Garter and thus responsible for organising this occasion. Thus it was about 3 weeks ago Patric popped his head over the parapet and said
“I omitted to ask whether you and Noreen could manage the Garter Service this year?”
(He had offered us tickets a couple of years ago and we couldn’t get free from work). I assumed he meant outside to see the procession through Windsor Castle, but no this was to attend the service in the Chapel. Wow! Thank you! Yes, please! We’ll be delighted; honoured; etc.
Our friend Tom offered to drive us the 15 or so miles out to Windsor. We got him a ticket to see the procession.
So off we traipse just before 12.30. Tom had to be in position before 2; we would be admitted to the Chapel at 2, no later than 2.30. We parked in Windsor Great Park just after 1. A long, leisurely, walk up to the Castle. Which gate? That gate. No you’ll have to go to that gate. No not here you need to be at the other (first) gate! Not really surprising with several gates, at least two types of ticket in six different colours; and thousands of security peeps.
It was hot. Need chocolate before blood sugar crashes. Hunt chocolate. Find nice man who keeps chocolate in the fridge. Go to (first) gate (again). Security checks – show passport three times as well as ticket! It’s blazing hot. Finally admitted to Chapel: cooler; a bit. Then the fun begins …
In march:
the state trumpeters (Household Cavalry);
a posse of Yeoman Warders, complete with ruffs, pikes, halberds and swords; followed by
a posse of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms – aged military retainers with white feather plumes in their shining tin hats. The choristers;
the heralds (in their playing card tabards);
the Knights of the Garter; the Royal Knights;
officers of the Order; retinue; and …
THE QUEEN.
A blare of trumpets.
Wow we don’t half do this pageantry stuff well, we English. We are in the nave in row 3, just 15 feet from HM – but with a big, burly, prop forward of a Yeoman Warder in the way!
Settle down now children and we’ll have a nice ordinary church service. A couple of hymns (good hymns in comfortable keys for all to sing, and they did), responses, prayers, a lesson etc. The usual stuff.
45 minutes later the procession traipses out again in reverse order. Another blare of trumpets for HM.
Back outside it is still baking; the black clouds roll past. And we get to see some of the procession ride back up the hill in carriages. A few, the older ones, in cars. Some even walk! The military march off. Two squadrons of Blues & Royals and Life Guards in full ceremonials including spurs. The full band of the Household Cavalry covered in gold frogging (see trumpeters, above). A detachment of Foot Guards.
We eventually meet up with Tom. We are all seriously hot and thirsty, so adjourn to the nearest pub for a couple of pints. Followed by a nice walk back to the car. And home for tea and cake.
What a fantastic day. I never thought I would ever get invited to such a royal occasion. And I certainly never thought I would be just 12-15 feet from the Queen. Absolutely brilliant. And it didn’t rain! 
[No cameras permitted in the Chapel, so all the pictures are from the web, mostly from Wikimedia Commons.]
Lucky you to actually see this in the flesh. Yes we do ceremonial so well in Britain. No one else does it as well. An event to remember.I've only seen Windsor Castle from the outside – very impressive it was too. I was in the town for work and wandered round and up to the castle in my lunch hour – being astounded at the house prices in estate agents' windows.