Where are they now?
An Argyll takes up residence at Windsor Castle
On 2 June 2010, Colonel David Steele MBE was installed as one of the thirteen Military Knights of Windsor. Splendidly attired in scarlet tail coat, blue trousers, crimson sash and cocked hat with red and white feathers, Colonel Steele took the ancient oath in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
The Military Knights of Windsor date back to the mid-fourteenth century when provision was made for the establishment of a community of twenty-six impoverished knights, whose duties were to pray for the Sovereign and his successors and for the Knights of the Order of the Garter. Known as the Alms Knights or Poor Knights, they seem to have been recruited from knights who had to sell their estates to pay heavy ransoms after being captured by the French. The Military Knights claim to be the oldest military establishment in the Army List.
Over the centuries, changes have been made: the number of Knights has been reduced to thirteen; the present uniform is a far cry from the original red cloaks of Edward III’s time; and fortunately poverty is no longer a requirement. However, the duties are very similar, attendance at the Chapel and participating in around fifty parades a year; the most important of which is the Garter Ceremony, which is led by the Military Knights.
Whilst with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Colonel Steele served in Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Zimbabwe, Holland and Scotland; and for some years he was the County Commandant of the West Lowland Battalion ACF.
However, life has changed significantly for Colonel Steele and his wife, Sarah, since moving into their permanent residence in the Lower Ward of Windsor Castle. These houses in the wall of the Lower Ward has been the official accommodation for the Military Knights since 1557, although they has been redecorated once or twice since then!
