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.
Collars are worn by Knights and Ladies Companion of the Order of the Garter, Knights and Ladies of the Order of the Thistle, and Knights and Dames Grand Cross of other orders. Of the last mentioned, the only currently active orders are the Order of the Bath, the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, the Royal Victorian Order and the Order of the British Empire; the Order of Saint Patrick, the Order of the Star of India and the Order of the Indian Empire are now in abeyance. 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:[1] [2]
| date | day | status | |
|---|---|---|---|
| variable | Easter Sunday | current | |
| variable | Easter Monday | abeyance | |
| variable | Easter Tuesday | abeyance | |
| variable | Ascension Day | current | |
| variable | Whit Sunday | current | |
| variable | Whit Monday | abeyance | |
| variable | Whit Tuesday | abeyance | |
| variable | Trinity Sunday | current | |
| 1 January | New Year's Day | current | |
| 6 January | Epiphany | current | |
| 25 January | Conversion of St Paul | current | |
| 2 February | Presentation of Christ in the Temple (also called Candlemas) | current | |
| 24 February | St Matthias' Day | current | |
| 1 March | St David's Day | current | |
| 17 March | St Patrick's Day | abeyance | |
| 25 March | Lady Day (also called Annunciation Day) | current | |
| 23 April | St George's Day | current | |
| 25 April | St Mark's Day | abeyance | |
| 1 May | St Philip and St James' Day | abeyance | |
| 6 May | The King's Coronation | current | |
| 29 May | Restoration of the Royal Family | current | |
| 24 June | St John the Baptist's Day | current | |
| 29 June | St Peter's Day | abeyance | |
| 25 July | St James' Day | abeyance | |
| 6 August | Transfiguration Day | current | |
| 24 August | St Bartholomew's Day | abeyance | |
| 8 September | The King's Accession | current | |
| 21 September | St Matthew's Day | current | |
| 29 September | St Michael and All Angels' Day | current | |
| 18 October | St Luke's Day | abeyance | |
| 28 October | St Simon and St Jude's Day | abeyance | |
| 1 November | All Saints' Day | current | |
| 14 November | The King's Birthday | current | |
| 30 November | St Andrew's Day | current | |
| 21 December | St Thomas' Day | abeyance | |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | current | |
| 26 December | St Stephen's Day | current | |
| 28 December | Holy Innocents' Day | current |
Collars are also worn when the King opens or prorogues Parliament, and for 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.[1] [2] [3]