Collar day


Collar days are designated days on which the collar forming part of the insignia of certain members of British orders of knighthood may be worn. Collars are special large and elaborate ceremonial metal chains worn over the shoulders, hanging equally over the front and back, often tied with a bow at the shoulders, with a distinctive pendant attached to the front.

Collar days in the United Kingdom

Collars are worn by members of the Order of the Garter, the Order of the Thistle; and Knights Grand Cross of other orders. Of the latter, the only currently active orders are the Order of the Bath, the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, the Order of the British Empire, and the Royal Victorian Order. The collar can be worn on specific collar days throughout the year.
Collar days, in accordance with instructions of the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood are:
datedaystatus
variableEaster Sundaycurrent
variableEaster Mondayabeyance
variableEaster Tuesdayabeyance
variableAscension Daycurrent
variableWhit Sundaycurrent
variableWhit Mondayabeyance
variableWhit Tuesdayabeyance
variableTrinity Sundaycurrent
1 JanuaryNew Year's Daycurrent
6 JanuaryEpiphanycurrent
25 JanuaryConversion of St Paulcurrent
2 FebruaryPresentation of Christ in the Temple current
6 FebruaryThe Queen’s Accessioncurrent
24 FebruarySt Matthias' Daycurrent
1 MarchSt David's Daycurrent
17 MarchSt Patrick's Dayabeyance
25 MarchLady Day current
21 AprilThe Queen’s Birthdaycurrent
23 AprilSt George's Daycurrent
25 AprilSt Mark's Dayabeyance
1 MaySt Philip and St James' Dayabeyance
29 MayRestoration of the Royal Familycurrent
2 JuneThe Queen’s Coronationcurrent
10 JuneThe Duke of Edinburgh’s Birthdaycurrent
24 JuneSt John the Baptist's Daycurrent
29 JuneSt Peter's Dayabeyance
25 JulySt James' Dayabeyance
4 AugustQueen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother’s Birthdaycurrent
6 AugustTransfiguration Daycurrent
24 AugustSt Bartholomew's Dayabeyance
21 SeptemberSt Matthew's Daycurrent
29 SeptemberSt Michael and All Angels' Daycurrent
18 OctoberSt Luke's Dayabeyance
28 OctoberSt Simon and St Jude's Dayabeyance
1 NovemberAll Saints' Daycurrent
30 NovemberSt Andrew's Daycurrent
21 DecemberSt Thomas' Dayabeyance
25 DecemberChristmas Daycurrent
26 DecemberSt Stephen's Daycurrent
28 DecemberInnocents' Daycurrent

Collars are also worn when the Queen opens or prorogues Parliament, and a few other observances; including religious services of the various orders, and by those taking part in the Ceremony of Introduction of a Peer in the House of Lords.
Collars are not normally worn after sunset, nor while mounted in parades such as the Trooping the Colour. Even if a bearer is entitled to more than one collar, only one may be worn at a time. The riband with badge cannot be worn with the collar, but that of another order is allowed.