Order Of The Garter Current Knights

The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most prestigious British order of chivalry, founded by King Edward III in 1348. The Order consists of the Sovereign and 25 Knights Companions, all of whom are selected in recognition of their personal service to the Sovereign and/or to the United Kingdom. Current Knights Companions of the Order of the Garter are drawn from a wide range of backgrounds and distinguished fields, including politics, public service, religion, science, academia and sport. They serve as ambassadors for Britain abroad and inspire others with their commitment to excellence.

The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry in Great Britain. It was founded by King Edward III in 1348, during the Hundred Years’ War against France. The Order of the Garter is named after a legend that states King Edward III picked up a fallen garter from the floor and tied it around his leg, saying “Honi soit qui mal y pense” (Shame be to him who thinks evil of it). Today, this phrase remains the motto of the Order.

Membership to the Order is strictly limited to 24 individuals at any one time and is restricted to those of noble birth or high office. New members are appointed by Queen Elizabeth II and are usually people who have achieved great wealth or success in their field. The Order includes members from both England and Scotland as well as citizens from other countries.

The insignia of the Order consists of a blue garter with gold embroidery, worn around the left leg, along with a badge depicting St. George on horseback slaying a dragon. This badge is worn suspended from a ribbon about the neck or pinned onto clothing for formal occasions such as investitures and banquets.

The Order meets annually at Windsor Castle on St George’s Day for a service in St George’s Chapel. The Sovereign then gives an address to all members present, before presenting them with awards for gallantry and meritorious conduct in their fields. After this ceremony, members return to their respective homes where they enjoy special privileges such as precedence over others at social gatherings and access to certain areas that are closed off to non-members.

Membership in the Order of the Garter

The Order of the Garter is one of the most prestigious orders in England and membership is highly sought after. This order was founded by Edward III in 1348 and has been awarded to people of high rank since then. It is considered to be the highest form of recognition for an individual’s service to England and her people.

Membership in the Order of the Garter is limited to 24 knights, as well as members of the British Royal Family. The Sovereign, who is currently Queen Elizabeth II, selects new members from a pool made up of current Knights and Ladies of the Order, as well as new candidates from outside. Those who are chosen must have strong ties to England and must have served her faithfully.

The investiture ceremony for new members takes place annually on St George’s Day, which falls on April 23rd each year. During this ceremony, members are presented with a sash bearing their Coat of Arms, a star badge featuring a blue garter encircling a sword with a red rose at its centre, and a collar made up of alternating gold knots and red roses.

In addition to these symbols, members also receive other honours such as invitations to state dinners and other events hosted by The Queen or other senior members of The Royal Family. Members also have access to certain areas within St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle that are not open to visitors.

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Membership in The Order carries many responsibilities – it is not only an honour but also a duty that comes with it. Members must ensure that they act with integrity at all times and uphold the values that underpin membership in this prestigious order.

The Process for Becoming a Member of the Order of the Garter

The Order of the Garter is considered to be one of the most prestigious and exclusive organizations in the world. Membership is strictly by invitation only and is usually extended to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service or achievement. The process for becoming a member of the Order of the Garter is highly selective and involves several steps.

• The first step in becoming a member is to be nominated by an existing member or by one of the four members of the Sovereign Council. The Sovereign Council consists of senior members who are appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

• Once an individual has been nominated, their name will be added to a list and they will be invited to attend an investiture ceremony held at Windsor Castle. During this ceremony, they will receive their insignia which includes a blue mantle, star, badge and collar.

• After receiving their insignia, each new member must make a solemn vow to serve Queen and country and uphold the ideals of chivalry as set out in The Statutes Of The Order Of The Garter.

• All new members are also required to take part in certain ceremonies throughout the year including meetings at Windsor Castle or St George’s Chapel as well as attending services on St George’s Day which occurs annually on April 23rd.

• Therefore, all members are expected to make an annual financial contribution towards the upkeep of Windsor Castle and other Royal residences.

Becoming a member of The Order Of The Garter is not only an honor but also a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. By adhering to these steps, one can become part of this elite group and help uphold its values for generations to come.

Ranks and Titles within the Order of the Garter

The Order of the Garter is one of the oldest and most prestigious orders of chivalry in Europe. Founded in 1348 by King Edward III, it is the highest order of knighthood in England and is dedicated to the image and arms of St. George as England’s patron saint. The Order has several ranks and titles which are associated with it, each with its own set of privileges and responsibilities.

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The highest rank in the Order is that of Knight or Lady Companion. This rank is awarded to those who have been personally appointed by Her Majesty The Queen to serve as a Companion for life. As a Knight or Lady Companion, one can take part in ceremonies held at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle or at other designated locations, such as Westminster Abbey or St Paul’s Cathedral; they are also eligible to hold certain offices within the Order such as Chancellor, Secretary, Registrar, King of Arms or Prelate.

Below Knight Companions are Esquires of the Order (often referred to as ‘Gentleman’ or ‘Gentlewoman’) who are appointed by Her Majesty The Queen on recommendation from a current Knight Companion or her private secretary. Esquires may not hold any offices within the Order but are eligible to participate in ceremonies such as Garter Processions and may be invited to certain social functions associated with the Order such as garden parties hosted by Her Majesty The Queen.

Further down in rank are Supernumerary Knights or Ladies (often referred to simply as ‘supernumeraries’) who have been appointed by Her Majesty The Queen on recommendation from a current Knight Companion but do not have voting rights within the Order. They may however vote on certain occasions when requested to do so by a majority vote of all Knights Companions present at a Chapter Meeting. Supernumeraries may also be invited to certain social functions associated with the Order such as garden parties hosted by Her Majesty The Queen.

At the lowest end of rank there are Yeomen of the Guard; these individuals are appointed by Her Majesty The Queen on recommendation from a current Knight Companion but do not have voting rights within the Order nor are they eligible for invitations to social functions associated with it – their role being primarily ceremonial in nature during Garter Processions and other events held at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle where they act as an honour guard for visiting dignitaries and members of foreign royal families.

Therefore there is one additional title which has no actual rank but rather denotes an individual who has been granted honorary membership into the Order – this title being that of Extra Gentleman Usher (or Extra Lady Usher). These individuals may not take part in any ceremonies but may be invited to certain social functions associated with it such as garden parties hosted by Her Majesty The Queen.

The Order of the Garter is a prestigious and exclusive order of chivalry operating in the United Kingdom. It is made up of the Queen and up to 24 members, who are chosen for their merits and contributions to public life. The order is steeped in tradition and holds many benefits for its members, from special privileges to recognition and honor. Here are some of the benefits of becoming a member of the Order of the Garter.

Recognition

Membership in the Order of the Garter brings with it great prestige and recognition. Members can wear a special insignia on their clothing, which marks them out as part of an exclusive group. There is also a formal ceremony each year at Windsor Castle, which members attend as part of their duties. As well as being invited to events such as state banquets, members can also use the title ‘Sir’ or ‘Dame’. This is a sign that they have been officially recognized by the Queen for their work and contribution to society.

Privileges

Membership in the Order brings with it certain privileges that other people don’t have access to. For example, members can use special entrances at royal palaces and have access to certain areas that are usually closed off to the public. They also receive free tickets to special events such as garden parties at Buckingham Palace, which are usually only available through invitation or purchase.

Special Events

In addition to attending functions such as state banquets, members are also invited to special events throughout the year held by other senior members of society. These events provide an excellent opportunity for networking with other influential people in politics, business and society.

Honorary Position

Being part of the Order gives members an honorary position within society; they become part of a select few who have been recognized by Her Majesty for their merits and achievements in public life. This brings with it a great sense of pride and accomplishment.

Financial Benefits

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Membership in this exclusive order also comes with some financial benefits; members can apply for grants from The Royal Household Trust Fund which helps them cover costs associated with travel and accommodation when attending official engagements.

Responsibilities and Obligations for Members of the Order of the Garter

Members of the Order of the Garter have several specific responsibilities and obligations that are expected to be adhered to. These include:

• Attending an annual service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, which is held on the Monday following Easter, known as Garter Day.

• Wearing the distinctive blue velvet mantle and hood, with a gold collar, together with black breeches and hose, as well as a gilded hat with ostrich feathers.

• Participating in processions on various occasions throughout the year, such as Trooping of the Colour.

• Representing Queen Elizabeth II at official events both in the United Kingdom and abroad.

• Lending support to charities or organisations related to chivalry or knighthood.

Above all else, members are expected to uphold the highest standards of personal honour and integrity. The Order of the Garter is considered one of the most prestigious orders of knighthood in Great Britain and represents a significant responsibility for its members.

Introduction

St George’s Day is an important day of celebration among members of The Order of the Garter. This is a day to recognize and celebrate the patron saint of England and the national flag. The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in England, making it a special event for its members. This article will discuss the various ways that members of The Order of the Garter celebrate St George’s Day.

Schools Attending Procession

On St George’s Day, schools from across England attend a procession in Windsor Castle. This procession is organised by The Queen as part of her personal celebrations for St George’s Day. During this procession, members of The Order of the Garter wear their robes and march through the streets with banners and flags proudly displayed. It is a sight to behold as these members proudly represent their nation on this day.

Special Service at Windsor Castle

On this day, a special service is held at Windsor Castle to honour St George and the patron saint’s contributions to England. At this service, all members in attendance are expected to wear their robes and perform traditional songs from England’s past. After this service, everyone enjoys a traditional English breakfast served with tea or coffee in true English style!

Dining Hall Celebrations

Members also gather in Windsor Castle’s Grand Dining Hall for more festivities throughout the day. Here, they enjoy traditional English food such as fish and chips or roast dinner along with music and dancing for entertainment. During these celebrations, everyone takes part in games such as darts or even chess with antics between players keeping everyone entertained!

Gift Exchange

At some point during these celebrations, there is often a small gift exchange amongst all members present. Gifts are usually small tokens such as flags or mementos that will remind them of their time with The Order on St George’s Day for years to come!

St George’s Day provides an opportunity for all members of The Order Of The Garter to come together in celebration and honor England’s patron saint. Through school processions, services at Windsor Castle, dining hall celebrations, and gift exchanges; there is no shortage of ways to honour England’s history on this special day!

Events and Ceremonies Attended by Members Of The Order Of The Garter

The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry in England, established by King Edward III in 1348. Members of the Order are often invited to attend various events and ceremonies, both within the United Kingdom and abroad. These events typically include:

• Investitures: Investitures are held several times throughout the year, and are attended by current members of the Order, as well as those who are newly appointed. During these events, members receive their insignia which includes a garter badge and a mantle.

• State Funerals: As members of the Royal Family, members of the Order of The Garter often attend state funerals for foreign leaders. These funerals are usually marked with special ceremonies such as changing of guard duties, gun salutes, and flypasts.

• State Banquets: Several times each year, members of the Order will be invited to attend state banquets hosted by Her Majesty The Queen or other senior members of The Royal Family. Guests at these banquets include foreign dignitaries from around the world.

• Garden Parties: Garden parties are hosted several times each year at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle for members of both Houses of Parliament as well as many other special guests including members of The Order. During these events, guests enjoy a selection of food and drinks while mingling with those in attendance.

• Visits to Abroad: From time to time, members may be asked to represent The Queen on visits abroad in order to meet with foreign leaders or attend official functions such as royal weddings or state funerals. These visits usually involve several days away from home and can be quite tiring for those involved!

In addition to attending official functions, some members may also be asked to participate in charitable work in their local area or abroad. This may involve visiting hospitals or schools, participating in fundraising events or any number of other activities which could benefit those less fortunate than themselves. All activities undertaken by members must be approved by Her Majesty The Queen before they can take place.

Overall, attending events and ceremonies is an important part of being a member of The Order Of The Garter. It allows them to represent their country on an international stage while meeting with people from all walks of life who share similar interests and values as themselves.

Final Words On Order Of The Garter Current Knights

The Order of the Garter is a prestigious and exclusive organization that continues to serve as a symbol of the highest level of excellence in British society. Its current members are some of the most influential and distinguished individuals in the world, many of whom have made significant contributions to their respective fields. Although membership is limited, it is still possible for someone to be selected as a Knight or Lady of the Garter if they have demonstrated extraordinary achievement or service to Britain or its people.

The current Knights and Ladies of the Garter are a diverse group with varied backgrounds and accomplishments. They provide an important reminder that individuals can make a difference, no matter their situation. From business leaders to humanitarian activists, these members inspire us all to strive for excellence and make positive contributions in our own lives.

The Order of the Garter continues to be an important part of British culture and will undoubtedly remain so for many years to come. It stands as an example of what can be achieved when we commit ourselves to excellence and service, regardless of who we are or where we come from.