Order of the Garter

The Most Noble Order of the Garter is an English order of chivalry. It was started in 1348, by King Edward III of England. The Order is the highest level of knighthood that can be given by the English monarch. It is the world's oldest national order of knighthood. Membership in the Order is limited to those people who have done many great things for the United Kingdom.
The Order of the Garter is made up of a very small number of people. This group includes the Sovereign (the King or Queen of Britain) and no more than 25 full members. These members are called "Companions". Male companions are called "Knight Companions". Female members are called "Lady Companions". There are also a number of extra members known as "Supernumerary" Knights and Ladies. These members are usually members of the British royal family, and monarchs of other countries. 

The monarch alone can grant membership to the order. He or she is known as the Sovereign of the Garter, and the Prince of Wales is known as a Knight Companion of the Garter.

Knights of the Order use the post-nominal letters (KG) and Ladies of the Order (LG). Knights Companion can use the title "Sir" before their first name, and their wives can use the title "Lady" before their surnames. Ladies Companion can use the title "Lady" before their first name, but their husbands cannot use any title.

 Current Members 

 Sovereign: Charles III
 Royal Knight: The Prince of Wales KG KT GCB PC

Knights and Ladies Companion:

 The Duke of Abercorn KG
 The Lord Butler of Brockwell KG GCB CVO PC
 Sir John Major KG CH PC
 The Lord Luce KG GCVO PC
 Sir Thomas Dunne KG KCVO
 The Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers KG PC
 The Lord Stirrup KG GCB
 The Baroness Manningham-Buller LG DCB
 The Lord King of Lothbury KG GBE
 The Lord Shuttleworth KG KCVO
 Sir David Brewer KG CMG CVO
 Lady Mary Fagan LG DCVO
 The Viscount Brookeborough KG
 Lady Mary Peters LG CH DBE
 The Marquess of Salisbury KG KCVO PC
 The Baroness Amos LG CH PC
 Sir Tony Blair KG
 The Baroness Ashton of Upholland LG GCMG PC
 The Lord Patten of Barnes KG CH PC
 The Lord Lloyd-Webber KG
 The Lord Kakkar KG KBE PC
 The Lord Peach KG GBE KCB

Royal Knights and Ladies Companion:

 The Duke of Kent KG GCMG GCVO
 The Princess Royal KG KT GCVO QSO
 The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO
 Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy KG GCVO
 The Duke of Edinburgh KG KT GCVO
 The Queen LG LT GCVO GBE PC
 The Duchess of Gloucester LG GCVO

References


Category:1340s establishments in England