It was revealed last night that the Queen will personally confer the honour on the Duchess Cornwall for her “service to the sovereign”.
Buckingham Palace announced that Camilla will be made Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. This is the oldest and senior Order of Chivalry in Britain.
This appointment is a royal endorsement for Camilla’s loyalty and discretion since 2005, when she married Prince Charles.
Last night, the Queen announced that she will award the Duchess Cornwall the most prestigious honour due to her service to the sovereign.
Buckingham Palace stated that Camilla would be made a Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. It is the oldest and largest Orders of Chivalry within Britain. It will be a royal stamp of approval for Camilla’s loyality and discretion ever since she was married to Prince of Wales in 2005
The speculation will be renewed that Camilla may endorse Prince Charles to become Queen at the age of 95.
Clarence House, expressing concern over the negative reaction to Camilla’s role in the fall of Charles and Diana’s marriages, says that it is the duchess’ intention to become Princess Consort.
The possibility that Camilla, 95-years-old, will still vote for her to become Queen after she dies or Prince Charles takes the throne is reaffirmed.
Clarence House asserts that Diana and Charles are now divorced, and Clarence House is expressing concern about the negative reaction to Camilla’s part in the breakup of their marriage.
Tony Blair also gets the call (and is made a Sir).
The decision to ennoble the former prime minister – or Sir Tony, as he will now be known – has been much debated in recent years
Tony Blair was appointed Knight Companion to the Order of the Garter.
The decision to ennoble the former prime minister – or Sir Tony, as he will now be known – has been much debated in recent years.
Every prime minister, except one, was appointed within a few years of leaving office. Sir Tony, however, waited 14 years.
The Queen may have been unable to communicate with her husband during the 10 years he was in power, which could explain the “snub”.
Charles, however, has not made it a secret that he wants Camilla to be his queen.
It is well-known that Queen Elizabeth II was impressed with the manner in which her daughter has accepted her public position and displayed quiet, respectful devotion to her husband as well as the institution of monarchy.
It was also revealed that Baroness Amos is to be made a Lady Companion of the Order of the Garter – the first person from an ethnic minority to be appointed.
She is a Labour politician and diplomat who has served as UN Under-Secretary-General for humanitarian affairs and British High Commissioner to Australia.
Her duties included Leader of the House of Lords, Chief Executive of the Equal Opportunities Commission and also as Speaker.
After being inspired by the stories of King Arthur, King Edward III established the Order of the Garter in 1348.
There are 24 Knights and Ladies Companion at any given time.
However, there is no limit on the number of members who can be royal. The initial members of this order belonged to the aristocracy. However, they now include people from all backgrounds. They are chosen for their public service and their contributions to national life or personal service to their sovereign.
The monarch bestows the honour, without any interference by the Government.
St George is the patron saint of this order, while St George’s Chapel is Windsor’s spiritual home.
Its motto reads ‘Honi soit qu’il mal y penser’. This is Old French and means’shame upon him who makes evil of it’. Announcements of vacant positions are made on St George’s Day, and occasionally in the New Year. This year’s announcement was meant to be in line with New Year’s Honours.
Prince Philip was appointed a Knight of the Order of the Garter by King George VI in 1947 – and it is believed that the Queen also wanted to ensure that both her son and his wife were members before her own change of reign.
Each June, a Garter Day procession takes place before an informal service at St George’s Chapel in which new companions can be installed.
It was also revealed that Baroness Amos (above) is to be made a Lady Companion of the Order of the Garter – the first person from an ethnic minority to be appointed. She is a Labour politician and diplomat who has served as UN Under-Secretary-General for humanitarian affairs and British High Commissioner to Australia