Order of the Garter

Most Noble Order of the Garter
Badge of the Order of the Garter:
The attributed arms of Saint George circumscribed by the Garter
Awarded by
the Monarch of the United Kingdom
TypeDynastic order
Established1348; 676 years ago (1348)
MottoHoni soit qui mal y pense
(Anglo-Norman for 'Shame on him who thinks evil of it')[1]
CriteriaAt the monarch's pleasure
StatusCurrently constituted
FounderEdward III
SovereignCharles III
ChancellorEliza Manningham-Buller, Baroness Manningham-Buller
PrelateThe Bishop of Winchester (ex officio)
Classes
  • Royal Knight/Lady (Companion) (KG/LG)
  • Stranger Knight/Lady Companion (KG/LG)
  • Knight/Lady Companion (KG/LG)
Statistics
First induction1348
Total inductees
Tally: 1,032
Precedence
Next (higher)George Cross
Next (lower)Order of the Thistle

Ribbon of the Order of the Garter

Badge of the Order embroidered onto the left shoulder of a Knight's blue velvet mantle
Henry of Grosmont, Earl (later Duke) of Lancaster (d. 1361), the second appointee of the Order, shown wearing a tabard displaying the royal arms of England over which is his blue mantle or garter robe. Illuminated miniature from the Bruges Garter Book c. 1430 by William Bruges, first Garter King of Arms

The Most Noble Order of the Garter is an order of chivalry founded by Edward III of England in 1348. The most senior order of knighthood in the British honours system, it is outranked in precedence only by the decorations of the Victoria Cross and the George Cross. The Order of the Garter is dedicated to the image and arms of Saint George, England's patron saint.

Appointments are at the Sovereign's sole discretion, typically made in recognition of national contribution, service to the Crown, or for distinguished personal service to the Monarch.[2] Membership of the order is limited to the sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and no more than 24 living members, or Companions. The order also includes Supernumerary Knights and Ladies (e.g., members of the British royal family and foreign monarchs).

The order's emblem is a garter circlet with the motto Honi soit qui mal y pense (Anglo-Norman for 'Shame on him who thinks evil of it') in gold script.[3] Members of the order wear it on ceremonial occasions.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference SGC was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "The Order of the Garter". The Royal Family. 11 November 2015. Archived from the original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  3. ^ Bruges, William (1430–1440). "Stowe MS 594". William Bruges' Garter Book. Archived from the original on 9 January 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2023. Languages: Anglo-Norman