The Most Noble Order of the Garter

THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER

The Order of the Garter, constituted by King Edward III in 1348, has since 1831 consisted of the Sovereign and twenty-five Companions (including the Prince of Wales, who is a constituent part of the original Institution), together with such lineal descendants of King George I as may be appointed, and such Stranger Knights as may be admitted to the Order.

The Habit and Ensigns of the Order are (i) A GARTER of dark blue velvet, edged with gold, bearing the motto, Honi soit qui mal y pense, in gold letters, with a buckle and pendant of gold, richly chased. (It is worn on the left, below the knee) (ii) A MANTLE of dark blue velvet lined with white taffeta, with a representation of the Garter encircling the Cross of St George on an escutcheon argent embroidered on the left shoulder, the Sovereign having the star. (iii) A HOOD of crimson velvet. (iv) A SURCOAT of crimson velvet, lined with white taffeta. (v) A HAT of black velvet, a plume of white ostrich feathers. (vi) A COLLAR of gold (weighing thirty ounces, troy) consisting of twenty-four pieces, each in the form of a Garter surrounding the Tudor Rose, connected by twenty-four knots of chased gold, and pendent thereto (vii) the GEORGE, an enamelled figure of St. George on horseback, encountering the dragon. (viii) The LESSER GEORGE or BADGE of gold is worn pendent from a four-inch blue ribbon over the left shoulder. (ix) The STAR of eight points of silver, in the centre the Cross of St. George gules, encircled with the Garter. At death the Badge and Star are delivered up to His Majesty by the Knight’s male or female heir, the collar (with pendant Badge) and Garter being returned to the Central Chancery. The King’s Royal Free Chapel of St George, Windsor Castle, is the chapel of the Order.