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King Charles and Prince William Lead 300th Anniversary Order of the Bath Ceremony

The monarch's first attendance as sovereign highlighted Prince William's installation as Great Master and the induction of five new Knights Grand Cross.

Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Great Master of the Order, and Britain's King Charles III, Sovereign Head of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, arrive for the Service for the Oath and Installation of the Great Master and the Knights Grand Cross at Westminster Abbey in London on May 16, 2025, in the Order�s 300th anniversary year. The Service for the Order of the Bath takes place every four years. The Order is a revival of an older custom dating back to medieval times when part of the ceremony of knighthood included a ritual bath symbolic of spiritual purification and a vigil the night before receiving the honour. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau / POOL / AFP)
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Overview

  • The 300th anniversary of the Order of the Bath was marked at Westminster Abbey with King Charles presiding for the first time as sovereign.
  • Prince William was formally installed as Great Master of the Order, a role previously held by his father for nearly 50 years.
  • The ceremony included the installation of five new Knights Grand Cross, including Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier and Admiral Sir Philip Jones.
  • The event emphasized royal continuity and tradition, while projecting unity within the family despite recent tensions following Prince Harry’s BBC interview.
  • The Order of the Bath, established in 1725, honors exemplary military and civil service, reviving medieval rituals of purification and chivalry.