Prince William has spoken often about updating the monarchy, and one long-standing royal ceremony is now part of that conversation. Attention has turned to Garter Day, the annual event tied to the Order of the Garter, after comments discussed on HELLO!'s royal podcast. The Prince of Wales is said to be less at ease with the heavy pageantry attached to some public rituals, raising questions about whether the ceremony will continue in its current form when he eventually succeeds King Charles.
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Emily Nash Discusses William's View of Garter Day
According to Hello, royal editor Emily Nash said on the podcast that the prince appears less comfortable with the scale of display surrounding the occasion. "They wear these incredible velvet and ermine robes and feathered caps. There's quite a lot of pomp and pageantry… It's quite a jolly day out!" said Emily Nash according to Hello. She then added that William is "less comfortable with that degree of pomp and pageantry." The discussion pointed to a broader shift in how the future king may approach public royal symbolism.
Garter Day Dates Back Nearly 700 Years
The ceremony is one of the oldest in the British royal calendar. Established by King Edward III in 1348, the Order of the Garter remains the oldest Order of Chivalry in Britain. Its members include the sovereign, the queen, senior royals and up to 24 Companions. Garter Day is marked by robes, plumed hats and a formal procession, all deeply tied to royal tradition. For supporters, that history gives the ceremony its value. For modernisers, it also raises the question of how such rituals fit into public life today.
Hannah Furness Points to a Modern Monarchy
The podcast also featured journalist Hannah Furness, who argued that William is thinking carefully about how the institution connects with younger generations. "I think by instinct he is very savvy about what the monarchy is going to look like in the modern world," said Hannah Furness according to Hello. She suggested he likely judges traditional ceremonies by asking how his generation, and the next one, will respond to them. At the same time, she stressed that such rituals still sit at the center of monarchy for those who believe in its role.
Prince William Has Already Spoken About Change
William has made his position clear in his own words too. In a 2025 appearance on Apple TV's The Reluctant Traveler, he said he welcomes reform while stopping short of sweeping breaks with the past. He said some traditions still play "a huge part" in royal life, but he also wants to test whether older practices still serve a purpose. That balance may define his future reign: keeping what works, trimming what does not, and shaping a monarchy that feels more in step with the present.
