Order Of The Garter Members

1348 ce the chivalric order was one of the first of a growing trend where rulers and noble knights sought to differentiate.

Order of the garter members. The most noble order of the garter is a british order of chivalry. The monarch alone can grant membership to the order. The order is the senior and oldest british order of chivalry founded by edward iii in 1348.

Coloured rows indicate princes of wales royal knights ladies and stranger knights ladies none of whom counts toward the 24 member limit. Because the earliest records of the order were destroyed by fire it is difficult for historians to be certain of its original purposes the significance of its emblem and the origin of the order s motto. Founded in 1348 by king edward iii the order of.

There are examples in the royal collection of the stars of foreign orders given george v surrounded with the garter e g. The most noble order of the garter was founded by edward iii of england in 1348. Dates shown are of nomination or installation.

The prussian order of the black eagle given to george v when prince of wales. Created by edward iii of england c. The procession begins at windsor castle ahead of the order of the garter service.

The most noble order of the garter is a british order of chivalry it is the world s oldest national order of knighthood in continuous existence and the pinnacle of the british honours system after the victoria cross and george cross its membership is extremely limited consisting of the sovereign the prince of wales both being members ex officio and gaining membership upon acceding to one. Non british recipients usually heads of state and royal knights do not count towards this limit. Since the order of the garter is the senior order of the united kingdom a member will wear its star above the others up to three that they hold.

These members are usually members of the british royal family and monarchs of other countries. The king or queen of the united kingdom is sovereign of the order which is limited to 24 living knights or ladies companion. Each year in june a procession and service takes place at windsor castle for the order of the garter attended by the queen and members of the royal family.