The Order of the Bath Service

The Queen attended the Service of the Order of the Bath at Westminster Abbey.

Video, above. For more: Article from the BBC, video and article from the Telegraph, pictures in the link in the tweet below from the Daily Mail, gallery from Zimbio.
Daytime tiara, as promised! And as expected, the Queen stuck with her favorite tiara, a Queen Mary piece accompanied by earrings from Queen Mary's collection as well. Unusually, I see no diamond bracelet on her right wrist.

Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara 
Queen Mary's Floret Earrings 
Collar, Badge, and Mantle of the Order of the Bath

The Queen and Prince Charles attend the ancient Order of Bath service http://t.co/UCWeTuOVQD pic.twitter.com/xbdKVIDfJ3
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) May 9, 2014

This appearance made news today because the Queen ended up pulling out of one part of the service, a task that would have required her to go up and down a set of steep stairs while juggling her Angela Kelly evening gown, her mantle and other insignia, and the weight of the tiara. (The Prince of Wales, who is Great Master of the Order, stepped in instead.) Palace aides said it was purely for her comfort, but it is of course making headlines. To me, this is neither surprising nor particularly concerning - she's 88, and she's human. She was still able to attend and be active in the rest of the service, which is a good sign.

The Collar, Badge, and Mantle of the Order of the Bath

The Order of the Bath is a chivalric order founded by King George I in 1725 and named after the ritual washing included in the medieval conferment of knighthood. The Collar of the Order - the large chain - is made of gold with alternating imperial crowns and flower clusters, separated by white knots. The flower clusters include roses for England, thistles for Scotland, and shamrocks for Ireland. The Badge is suspended from the front center of the collar; it includes the Order's motto of Tria Juncta in uno ("Three joined in one") as well as Ich Dien ("I Serve") on a white enameled Maltese cross.

The Queen in her Mantle, with Collar and Badge

The collar and badge are worn over the Mantle, the robes worn for certain ceremonial occasions. The Mantle is made of crimson satin with a white taffeta lining, cord and tassels at the closure, and large white bows on the shoulders. The Mantle's left side includes a large representation of the Order's star. The Queen, as Sovereign of the Order, has a Mantle with a long train. She uses the Collar, Badge, and Mantle when she attends the Order's service at Westminster Abbey; the service is held every four years, and she attends only alternate services.

Appearances:
9 May 2014: Order of the Bath Service
2006: Order of the Bath Service

Photos: Getty Images/Westminster Abbey