Killian was a little nervous as he and Emma made their way to the throne room, for the investiture ceremony. While he was happy to have his wife by his side for the first part of their day, he was a little worried about how the other Knights and Ladies of the Order would accept him.
"You're gonna be okay," Emma assured him, somehow sensing his nerves. "They'll love you. How can anyone not?"
"Ask the anti-Hook part of the fandom," Killian snorted.
"Well… they don't like Hook," his wife reasoned. "That doesn't mean they don't like Killian."
Killian wrapped his arm around her shoulders, to offer Emma a brief hug, before they made their way into the throne room at Windsor Castle, to the announcement of, "Ladies and Gentlemen, their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Kensington."
"Yep… still not used to that," he chuckled, as they were approached by a number of the guests already waiting for the ceremony to begin. The newlyweds only had a brief amount of time to mingle, and most of it consisted of people Killian had briefly met at his wedding reception, asking about the honeymoon they'd just returned from.
Thankfully, Ruth's grand entrance was timed impeccably, and Emma guided her husband over to the seats that had been reserved for the two of them, to witness the investiture.
As she sat down, Emma slipped on the black velvet hat she'd been carrying tucked under her arm, while the room fell silent, ready for the ceremony began. Killian had attempted to research this part of the day online, during some of his breaks in the studio, but there was very little information about what it would actually entail. His wife had given him a brief rundown of the basics, but if he'd learned anything about his new life, it was that he could never be too prepared.
The ceremony itself was fascinating to Killian. He watched as the two new members of the Order were instructed to recite the oath, before an address was delivered by the Chancellor. The ceremonial robes that were to be given to the newest Knights were then brought forward on velvet cushions, and one by one, they were presented to Ruth, before she offered them to their intended recipients. A few people Killian recognised from the news helped place the items on the newest Knights, before their Queen stood to give her final speech to the room at large.
"Is that it?" he asked, as he watched Ruth make her exit, before those around them started to gather up their own belongings.
"Yep. That's the first part of the day done," Emma chuckled. "Easy enough, huh?"
Killian shrugged his agreement, as he offered his wife his arm, to guide her out of the throne room. In all honesty, he'd been expecting a much longer ceremony, with many more speeches delivered. A little like the ones that had been given during his wedding ceremony. He was surprised by how simple the investiture had actually been.
"So, the parade is next, right?" he asked, as they followed some of the other Knights and Ladies of the Order down the corridors of the Castle.
"Yeah," Emma sighed. "You'll be okay with my mother for this part, right?"
"Of course," he reassured her. Mary was much better company than most of the other people he'd spent the morning around. And it wasn't like they'd be apart for long. "The question you should really be asking is, 'Will Mary be okay with me?'" He wiggled his brows playfully at his wife, and she smothered her giggles into his shoulder blade.
"I'm pretty sure she knows how to handle you, Casanova. Now… come on."
They said their temporary goodbyes discreetly, aware that even without the intrusion of the press, their every move was still being watched by those around them. Killian left his wife with a small kiss pressed to her lips, and the smile he only ever wore for her, before Anton guided him out to the car that was already waiting to take him over to the chapel.
Instead of the usual black Range Rover, a large Rolls Royce had been parked outside, and Mary was already in the back, waiting for her son-in-law to join her.
"How was it?" she asked, as Killian slid into the backseat beside her, while Anton closed the door behind him.
"Quick," he chuckled. "And very…"
"Pompous?" Mary supplied helpfully. Anton snorted a little from the front seat, as he started the engine. "It's definitely a rather outdated ceremony, but you know how this family feels about tradition."
Killian certainly did. And he couldn't exactly complain about it. His own family had their own traditions, for certain times of the year. And while they weren't as big, or as important, as the ones Emma's family favoured, they meant the same to the people he cared about.
"Just think," Mary added suddenly, pulling Killian away from his thoughts. "One day soon, Emma will be bestowing those robes on you, so you can join her as a member of the Order."
Killian's mouth dried a little at the daunting prospect of what his future held, once more. Every time he thought he had it all covered, something new would pop up and remind him of just how different his life now was.
"I wonder how your fangirls will feel about that hat?" his mother-in-law teased.
The Order of the Garter was believed to have been founded in 1348 by King Edward III (although some documents list the date as 1344). There are many legendary theories behind it's creation (which I won't list here as I don't want to bore you, but if you don't fancy looking them all up, feel free to ask and I can let you know a few of my favourites), but it's commonly believed the order was founded as a way to help Edward pursue his claim to the French Throne. The motto of the Order is "Honi soit qui mal y pense!" which translates as "Shame on him who thinks ill of it!" This is, again, in reference to Edward's claim to the throne (and not to a noble woman losing her garter at a Court ball, as one legend states).
While women were appointed as Ladies of the Garter shortly after it's creation, it was actually Henry VIII who was the first monarch to make them a companion of the Order, but this was a right only reserved for Queen consorts appointed by their husbands, or female monarchs. It wasn't until 1987 that it became a right to install Lady Companions of the Garter under Queen Elizabeth II.
The composition of the Order is limited to the monarch, The Prince of Wales, and no more than twenty-four companion members (although there are additional supernumerary members). The only person who can appoint a member is the monarch, who is known as The Sovereign of the Garter. The Prince of Wales is given the title Royal Knight Companion of the Garter.
Now, for this series, as we have no Prince of Wales, (This would have been David's title and while it would have passed down to his son, it does not pass to his daughter) I have given Emma the role and title of Royal Lady Companion of the Garter, as she is still the heir to the throne. (Additionally, with the new equality law that was passed by Ruth, for the wedding, Emma and Killian's oldest child will be entitled to the title of Prince or Princess of Wales, regardless of gender).
There's a lot of history and tradition surrounding appointments that I won't go into here, as it's incredibly dry and not relevant right now, so I'll move on to Garter Day celebrations.
Every year in June, members of the Order meet at Windsor Castle. If there is a new Knight or Lady of the Garter due for installation, an investiture ceremony is held in the Throne Room. The ceremony is attended by all of the Knight and Lady Companions of the order, (and their spouses) and they are required to wear their ceremonial robes. Finding exact details of this ceremony is not easy, but I've done my best to hopefully give you a brief overview of what happens during it.
After this, the Order will proceed on foot to St. George's Chapel at the Castle. And that's where the next chapter will pick up.
Thanks for reading.