LONDON – The Order of the Garter is the oldest honor in Britain, established nearly 700 years ago.
Duchess of Cornwall, was installed as a Royal Lady of the Order of the Garter – an appointment made by Queen Elizabeth.
She joins other members of the royal family in the prestigious organization – including her husband, Prince Charles, and the Queen’s other children, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. In 2008, Prince William was invested as the 1,000th knight – when he was just 25. In addition, several of the Queen’s cousins, including Prince Richard, Prince Edward and Princess Alexandra.
Camilla’s appointment is significant as those who marry into the royal family are rarely included in the order, unless they are the spouse of the monarch (or the heir to the throne). Queen Elizabeth made her feelings on Camilla clear earlier this year, when she used her Platinum Jubilee message to share that Camilla will be known as Queen Consort when Charles becomes King.
‘When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you give me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that times comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service’, the Queen wrote.
The Order of the Garter is yet another honor solidifying Camilla as the future Queen Consort.
Also installed in the Order of the Garter were Baroness Valerie Amos, the first Black woman be appointed to the Order, and former Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Part of the appointment to the Order means members receive a personal coat of arms. Amos told Oxford earlier this year ‘she wants a reference to education and learning, a personal passion, as well as something about Guyana, the place of her birth, and her longer term lineage in West Africa. ‘A personal coat of arms is ‘not something I ever would thought I’s have’, Amos said.
ALKASSANDRA الكسندرا 