Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter

The Most Noble Order of the Garter is the most senior order of chivalry in UKOGB and one of the oldest in the world. Appointments are the personal gift of The Sovereign, made without the advice of ministers, and a member is a Knight Companion (or Lady Companion) of the Order, with the letters KG (or LG) after their name and the title "Sir" or "Lady". It ranks first in the order of precedence of the honours system.

History

The Order was founded by King Edward III in 1348, inspired by the legends of King Arthur and the Round Table. Its symbol is a dark blue garter worn below the left knee, and its motto, "Honi soit qui mal y pense" (Shame on him who thinks evil of it), is said to come from the King's words when he picked up a garter dropped by a lady at a court ball and tied it round his own leg.

Membership

The Order is limited to the Sovereign, the heir to the throne and twenty-four Knights or Ladies Companion. New members are traditionally announced on St George's Day, 23 April, the feast of the Order's patron saint, and are installed at a service in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, where their banners hang above the choir stalls. Appointments honour people who have held high public office, made a great contribution to national life, or served the Sovereign personally.

Insignia

Members wear the garter itself, a dark blue velvet mantle, a plumed hat, and the collar and badge of the Order, which shows St George slaying the dragon. On less formal occasions they wear the Star of the Order and a broad blue sash.

Notable members

• Sir Oliver Howard KG, appointed on 23 April 2021, St George's Day, for outstanding public service, above all to workers' rights. He was then Leader of the Opposition and became Prime Minister a year later.

See also

• Honours system of the United Kingdom
• Order of the Thistle