Prince William made Knight of the Garter
Prince William has been made a Royal Knight of the Garter,joining the
most senior British order of chivalry.
He was officially appointed by the Queen at a service at St George's
Chapel in Windsor Castle.
The Order of the Garter - established by Edward III in 1348 - honours
those who have contributed to national life or served the Queen.
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Britain's Prince William follows his uncle, Prince Andrew,
and aunt, Princess Anne, during the Garter ceremony at
Windsor, England, Monday June 16. Prince William was
formally appointed to the most senior British order of
chivalry by his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II ,in a
ceremony at St George's Chapel. William becomes a Royal
Knight Companion - and the 1,000th knight in the register.
The position reflects his position within the Royal family.
-AP |
William becomes a Royal Knight Companion, which recognises his
seniority within the Royal Family.
He becomes the eighth member of the Royal Knights and Ladies, joining
other members of the Royal Family.
The order also includes seven foreign monarchs, known as Stranger
Knights and Ladies.
The Queen chooses the other 24 members, known as Knights and Ladies
Companions, without the advice of ministers. The Queen and the Prince of
Wales are members ex officio - they are part of the order by virtue of
their royal titles.
William's father, Prince Charles, was appointed in 1958, the Princess
Royal in 1994, and the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex in 2006.
The Duke of Edinburgh was made a Royal Knight in 1947 - the same year
he married Princess Elizabeth.
Recent deaths
The numbers of the 24 Knights Companion were depleted recently with
the deaths of the conqueror of Mount Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary, and
former Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath.
Their places have been taken by Lord Luce, Lord Chamberlain from 2000
to 2006, and Sir Thomas Dunne, who has been Lord-Lieutenant of Hereford
since 1977 and chairman of the Lord Lieutenants Association.
Former prime ministers are usually made members of the order soon
after their retirement from office. The order already includes former
Prime Ministers Baroness Thatcher and Sir John Major.
New members of the order are traditionally announced on St George's
Day but the ceremonies take place in June, on the Monday of Royal Ascot
week, known as Garter Day.
Prince William, who will be the 1,000th Knight in the Register, wore
a blue velvet cape and black velvet hat with white ostrich plumes for a
procession from the castle to the chapel.
-BBC |
