Windsor Events - Things to see and do

Windsor Events - Garter Day and The Most Noble Order of the Garter

Dedicated to the image of Saint George of England The Most Noble Order of the Garter is the highest ranking order of chivalry in the United Kingdom's honours system and has been in existence since it was founded in the reign of King Edward III in the mid 14th Centaury.

Held in June every year the Garter Day service is one of the most well known events of pageantry in the United Kingdom. The members meet the Queen in the state apartments of Windsor Castle and then process, on foot, amongst a large military escort to St George's Chapel. Here a religious service is held and any new Knight of the order are installed by the Queen.

Perhaps the most appealing legend as to the origins of the order lies in the tale of the Countess of Salisbury who, while dancing with King Edward, let a garter, which suspended her stockings, slip to the floor. On picking the garment up, and to save the humiliation of the Countess, the King tied it to his own leg and pronounced the Latin phrase "Honi soit qui mal y pense", - Let evil be unto him that thinks evil. This phrase become the motto of the order and is always associated with the Monarchy of the United Kingdom.

The original order, in the time of King Edward III, consisted of the King and 25 Knights and was recognised as the highest form of honour and military accolade that could be bestowed upon an Englishman. The insignia itself bears the motto and the Cross of Saint George, the patron Saint of England.

Each of the Knights is required to display their arms in St. Georges Chapel and the arms of all the Knights that have been invested remain as stall plates in the quire of the Chapel.

Today The Most Noble Order of the Garter comprises the Queen, The Prince of Wales and 24 Knights appointed by the Queen and of her personal choice. On the death of a Knight the vacant position in the order will be filled by a person who has provided a significant service to the United Kingdom and can be from any walk of life, not just aristocracy. New appointments to the order are always announced on Saint George's Day - 23 April.

Over the Centuries a number of Knights have been degraded such as Henry le Scope, 3rd Baron Scrope of Masham, for treason in a plot against his childhood friend King Henry V.

Current notable Knights Companion of the Garter include Field Marshal Baron Brammal, head of the British Armed Forces in the 1980's and Sir John Major, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom between 1990 and 1997. Ladies Companions, as female members of the order are known, include Baroness Thatcher Prime Minister of the United Kingdom between 1979 and 1990.