Order of the Garter: what is it and who are the members?
FOUNDED by King Edward III in 1348, the Order of the Garter is the oldest national order of knighthood.
A Garter Day, attended by the Royal Family, is held annually in June, with the 2023 ceremony taking place on Monday, June 19.
What is the Order of the Garter?
The Order of the Garter is the UK’s most senior order of chivalry.
Back in the 1300s, King Edward sought to establish his own group of knights after being inspired by the tales of King Arthur.
He was said to be particularly influenced by the chivalry shown by the Knights of the Round table.
Seven centuries later, it is both the oldest and the most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain.
Its motto is: “Honi soit qui mal y pense”, a French phrase which in English means “Shame on him who thinks badly of this”.
Who are members of the Order of the Garter?
Appointments to the Order of the Garter are at the sovereign’s sole discretion, meaning they are personally chosen by King Charles III.
The 2023 Garter Day marks King Charles’ first Order as head monarch of the UK, after he ascended the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022.
The Order includes:
- King Charles himself, who is Sovereign of the Garter
- Queen Camilla
- Prince William
- Prince Edward
- Princess Anne
- Prince Richard
- Princess Alexandra
- Prince Andrew
- 24 knights chosen in recognition of their achievements
The members of the Royal Family that are in the Order do not count towards the limit of 24 members.
Garter Day, held annually in June, sees the monarch and the Knights take part in a procession at Windsor Castle.
They are seen wearing velvet robes and plumed hats and the parade also features a marching band and the Officers of the Order.
The ceremony takes place just days after the Trooping the Colour.
What do you have to do to join?
Those wishing to become a Knight or Lady have to be invited and the Order cannot be applied for.
Appointments are usually made in recognition of a national contribution, for public service, or for personal service to the sovereign.
The order used to be limited to the aristocracy but in modern times, members are picked from various backgrounds.
Former Prime Ministers Sir Winston Churchill, Sir John Major and Sir Tony Blair have all received Britain’s highest honour of chivalry.
Why is the Order of the Garter called Garter?
According to tradition, the Order was named after an occasion when a woman’s garter fell down while she was in the presence of King Edward.
He is said to have saved her from embarrassment by picking up the garter and putting it on his own leg.
He then said: “Honi soit qui mal y pense,” the French phrase which would later become the Order’s motto.
What is the Order of the Garter medal?
There are several different insignia of the Order of the Garter.
One, the star, an eight-point silver badge, was introduced in the 17th century by King Charles I and features the shield of St. George‘s Cross surrounded by the Garter and its motto.
As the Order of the Garter is the most senior order in the UK, a member will wear their star above others they may hold.
Members of the Order may also be seen wearing a blue sash or ribbon.
The Order also has a badge with an emblem of a dark blue velvet garter, again with the Order’s motto embroidered.
Members of the order wear this on ceremonial occasions.
The Order’s collar chain is made of gold and consists of alternate buckled garters, each encircling a red enamelled rose.
The collar badge features a figure of St. George the Martyr on horseback slaying a dragon.
What is the Order of the Garter uniform?
On Garter Day, knights wear their blue velvet robes and black velvet hats with white plumes.
They also wear a collar and their badges.