Duchess of Cambridge watches duke in Order of the Garter ceremony

The Duchess of Cambridge shared a tender moment with her husband the duke yesterday, as the royal family took part in the historic annual Order of the Garter Service.

The couple exchanged smiles as the duke, a Royal Garter Knight, processed past the duchess with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.

The touching display of affection was in contrast to the formality of the annual event, which celebrates the ancient order of chivalry with a service held at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The duchess also proved she has a frugal side appearing in a stunning ivory double-breasted outfit for the occasion, something she wore at last year’s Trooping the Colour ceremony.

The Alexander McQueen coat was this time combined with a matching hat by Jane Corbett, a world away from the casual clothes, and £300 leather-lined Le Chameau wellies, she wore on Sunday during a visit to Kent to meet youngsters taking part in an outdoor residential course. With other royal women – the Duchess of Cornwall, Countess of Wessex and Duchess of Gloucester – the duchess watched from the vantage point of the Galilee Porch at St George’s Chapel as their partners processed past.

Wearing their blue velvet robes and black velvet hats with white plumes, the Royal Garter Knights walked past as 6,000 spectators who had gathered in the grounds of the castle cheered.

Members of the monarchy who are Royal Knights or Ladies of the Order of the Garter include the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex and the Princess Royal.

When the Duke of Cambridge was made a Royal Knight of the order in 2008, the duchess was there to witness his first procession.

At last year’s Garter Day ceremony, she made her husband blush by smiling at him, but this time he just acknowledged her with a beaming grin of his own.