Every year in June, the Knights of the Order of the Garter gather in their heavy velvet robes and black velvet caps with white feathers at Windsor Castle. Today, June 15th, is that day again. The so-called "Garter Day" is one of the most important dates on the royal calendar.
What Happens on "Garter Day"
The "Order of the Garter" was founded by King Edward III (1312-1377) in 1348. Allegedly inspired by the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The Order of the Garter remains the oldest and highest British order of chivalry to this day. At the annual gathering on "Garter Day", the new knights of the Order are inducted into their office by the monarch in a private ceremony in the Throne Room at Windsor Castle.
After lunch, the Knights of the Order of the Garter then process down the hill to St. George's Chapel, where the annual service for the Order takes place. The famous procession is accompanied by troops of the "Household Division", which is responsible for ceremonies in Windsor and London. Members of the King's Bodyguard, including the "Corps of Gentlemen", the "Yeoman Guards", and the "Yeoman Warders" (Beefeaters), also participate.
How the Order Is Structured
The "Order of the Garter" is the highest order of chivalry and its membership is the third most important honor in the United Kingdom, with only the "Victoria Cross" and the "George Cross" ranking above it. The monarch alone can confer membership, and it is considered a personal gift from the King. Those eligible are individuals who have rendered service to the Kingdom or the Sovereign.
King Charles is the "Sovereign of the Garter", heir to the throne Prince William (43) is referred to as "Royal Knight Companion of the Garter". In addition to several high-ranking members of the royal family, a maximum of 24 additional "Knights and Ladies Companions" can join the Order as members, currently including former Prime Ministers Tony Blair (73) and John Major (83).
Other honorary members from abroad who, like the British royals, do not count among the 24 "Companions", include, for example, Harald V of Norway (89), Felipe VI of Spain (58), Dutch King Willem-Alexander (59), Margrethe of Denmark (86), and Carl Gustaf of Sweden (80). Besides Charles and William, the British royal family currently includes, among others, Princess Anne (75), Prince Edward (62), and Queen Camilla (78), or since 2024 Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester (79), in the Order. Last year, King Charles revoked his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's (66) membership due to his involvement in the Epstein scandal.
One Spot Still Available
This year, King Charles has invited three new members into the Order of the Garter. Typically, individuals who hold public office, have made a remarkable contribution to national life, or have served the monarch directly are honored. The individuals now being admitted are Peter Hennessy, Baron Hennessy of Nympsfield (79), a historian and former journalist; Ian Burnett, Baron Burnett of Maldon (68), who was Lord Chief Justice of England from 2017 to 2023 and thus the country's highest judge; and Augustine "Gus" Thomas O'Donnell, Baron O'Donnell (73), who served as Cabinet Secretary (the United Kingdom's highest-ranking civil servant) from 2005 to 2011.
With these three new additions, the total number of members of the Order of the Garter rises to 23, meaning one spot is currently available. Last year, no new members were admitted; in 2024, Stuart Peach (70), Ajay Kakkar (62), and Andrew Lloyd-Webber (78) were appointed.
