The newly appointed Companions are as follows: - Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester, GCVO, DStJ, CD, appointed as a Royal Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
- Air Chief Marshal the Lord Peach, GBE, KCB, DL, appointed as a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
- The Right Honourable the Lord Kakkar, KBE, appointed as a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
- The Lord Lloyd-Webber appointed as a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most prestigious Order of Chivalry in Britain.
Annually, it is marked with a procession and service held in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Appointments to the Order of the Garter, including Knights and Ladies, are made directly by The King without the need for Prime Ministerial advice.
This distinguishes the Order from others like the Order of the Thistle, the Order of Merit, and the Royal Victorian Order, which are also within The King’s gift.
The announcement raises the total number of Companions to 21, nearing the maximum cap of 24 individuals.
The upcoming Garter Service is scheduled to occur this Summer at St.
George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
Additionally, His Majesty The King has appointed His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, K.
G.
, K.
T.
, A.
D.
C.
, as the Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.
Previous Great Masters have included notable figures such as His Royal Highness Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester and His Royal Highness Prince Arthur.
Established by King George I in 1725, the Order of the Bath recognizes exemplary service from members of the military or civil service.
In another appointment, His Majesty The King has named Her Majesty The Queen as the Grand Master and First or Principal Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
The list of previous Grand Masters includes His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and Her Majesty Queen Mary.
Instituted by King George V in 1917, the Order of the British Empire celebrates achievements across a broad spectrum of society, both military and civilian.
Furthermore, His Majesty The King has also appointed Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, GCVO, as a Royal Companion of The Order of the Companions of Honour, a newly established honour.
Founded by King George V in 1917, this Order recognizes exceptional accomplishments in the Arts, Sciences, Medicine, and Public Service.
These appointments are effective from the 23rd of April 2024.