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| | During the First World War, two Royal Knights and six Stranger Knights, all monarchs or princes of enemy nations and including [[Wilhelm II of Germany|Wilhelm II, German Emperor]] and [[Franz Joseph I of Austria|Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria]] were struck off the roll of the Order or had their appointments annulled in 1915.<ref name="RH4" /> The banner of [[Victor Emmanuel III of Italy]] was removed from the chapel after Italy entered World War II against the United Kingdom and her Allies. The banner of Emperor [[Hirohito]] of Japan was removed from St George's Chapel when Japan entered World War II in 1941, but that banner and his knighthood were restored by [[Elizabeth II]] in 1971, when Hirohito made a [[state visit]] to the United Kingdom. The Emperor was particularly pleased by the restoration of his banner as a Knight of the Garter.<ref>Kingston, Jeff. [http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2005/03/13/books/book-reviews/the-tokyo-envoys-englishmen-in-japan/#.WPqHpVLMyRs "The Tokyo envoys: Englishmen in Japan,"] ''The Japan Times'' (Tokyo); 13 March 2005 {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604025115/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2005/03/13/books/book-reviews/the-tokyo-envoys-englishmen-in-japan/ |date=4 June 2016 }}</ref> | | During the First World War, two Royal Knights and six Stranger Knights, all monarchs or princes of enemy nations and including [[Wilhelm II of Germany|Wilhelm II, German Emperor]] and [[Franz Joseph I of Austria|Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria]] were struck off the roll of the Order or had their appointments annulled in 1915.<ref name="RH4" /> The banner of [[Victor Emmanuel III of Italy]] was removed from the chapel after Italy entered World War II against the United Kingdom and her Allies. The banner of Emperor [[Hirohito]] of Japan was removed from St George's Chapel when Japan entered World War II in 1941, but that banner and his knighthood were restored by [[Elizabeth II]] in 1971, when Hirohito made a [[state visit]] to the United Kingdom. The Emperor was particularly pleased by the restoration of his banner as a Knight of the Garter.<ref>Kingston, Jeff. [http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2005/03/13/books/book-reviews/the-tokyo-envoys-englishmen-in-japan/#.WPqHpVLMyRs "The Tokyo envoys: Englishmen in Japan,"] ''The Japan Times'' (Tokyo); 13 March 2005 {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604025115/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2005/03/13/books/book-reviews/the-tokyo-envoys-englishmen-in-japan/ |date=4 June 2016 }}</ref> |
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| − | ===Officers=== | + | ==Classes== |
| − | [[File:Officers of the Order of the Garter.JPG|thumb|right|Officers of the Order of the Garter (left to right): Secretary (barely visible), Black Rod, Garter Principal King of Arms, Register, Prelate, Chancellor.]]
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| − | The Order has six officers: the Prelate, the [[Chancellor of the Order of the Garter|Chancellor]], the Register, the [[Garter Principal King of Arms]], the [[Black Rod|Usher]], and the Secretary.<ref name="Knight">{{Cite book |last=Knight |first=Charles |year=1811 |title=Guide to Windsor |chapter=9}}</ref> The offices of Prelate, Register, and Usher were created on the order's establishment; those of Garter Principal King of Arms and Chancellor, in the 15th century; and that of Secretary, in the 20th century.<ref name="COA">{{cite web|url=http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/About/06.htm |title=The origin and history of the various heraldic offices |publisher=The College of Arms |accessdate=16 November 2006 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729132925/http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/About/06.htm |archivedate=29 July 2010 |df= }}</ref>
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| − | [[William of Edington]], [[Bishop of Winchester]], was the first [[Prelate]] of the Order, and that office has since been held by his successors at Winchester, traditionally a senior bishopric of the [[Church of England]].<ref name="begent-chesshyre"/>{{rp|105}}
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| − | The office of Chancellor is now held by one of the companions of the order. For most of its existence, the [[Bishop of Salisbury]] has held the office, although [[laymen]] held it from 1553 to 1671. In 1837, after boundary changes made [[Windsor Castle]] fall in the [[diocese]] of Oxford, the Chancellorship was transferred to the [[Bishop of Oxford]]. A century later, the Bishop of Salisbury challenged this transfer, on the grounds that the Chancellorship had been attached to his office regardless of the diocese in which the chapel of the order lay; and that, in any event, [[St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle|St George's Chapel]], as a [[Royal Peculiar]], was not under diocesan jurisdiction. The office of Chancellor was removed from the Bishop of Oxford (the outgoing bishop, [[Thomas Strong (bishop)|Thomas Strong]], had been outspoken in the [[Edward VIII abdication crisis|abdication crisis of Edward VIII]]), and so it was withheld from his successor, [[Kenneth Kirk]], and has since been held by one of the Knights Companion.<ref name="begent-chesshyre"/>{{rp|109–112}}
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| − | The office of Register has been held by the [[Dean of Windsor]] since 1558.<ref name="begent-chesshyre"/>{{rp|116}} The Garter Principal King of Arms is ''[[ex officio]]'' the senior officer of the [[College of Arms]] (the [[heraldry|heraldic]] authority of England), and is usually appointed from among the other [[officer of arms|officers of arms]] at the College.<ref name="begent-chesshyre"/>{{rp|122}} As the title suggests, Garter Principal King of Arms has specific duties as the Order's officer of arms, attending to the companions' crests and banners of arms, which are exhibited in the chapel. The Secretary, who acts as deputy to Garter in the ceremonial aspects of the Order, has since 1952 also been selected from the other officers of the College of Arms.<ref name="begent-chesshyre"/>{{rp|143}} The office of Usher is held by the [[Black Rod|Usher of the Black Rod]], who is also the [[Serjeant-at-Arms]] of the [[House of Lords|United Kingdom House of Lords]].<ref name="begent-chesshyre"/>{{rp|132}}
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| − | ==Military Knights of Windsor==
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| − | {{Main article|Military Knights of Windsor}}
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| − | [[File:Military Knights of Windsor.JPG|thumb|right|[[Military Knights of Windsor]] in the procession to the Garter Service]]
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| − | At the founding of the Order of the Garter, 26 "poor knights" were appointed and attached to the Order and its chapel. This number was not always maintained, and by the 17th century, there were only thirteen such knights. [[Charles II of England|King Charles II]] increased the number to 18 (in large part because of funds allocated from Sir Francis Crane's will) after his coronation in 1660. After the knights objected to being termed "poor", [[William IV of the United Kingdom|King William IV]] redesignated them in the 19th century as the [[Military Knights of Windsor]].<ref name="SGC3">{{cite web |url=http://www.stgeorges-windsor.org/about-st-georges/whos-who/military-knights.html |title=College of St George – Windsor Castle – Military Knights |publisher=College of St George – Windsor Castle |accessdate=4 June 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100510013842/http://www.stgeorges-windsor.org/about-st-georges/whos-who/military-knights.html |archivedate=10 May 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
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| − | The poor knights were impoverished military veterans, required to pray daily for the Knights Companion. In return, they received a salary and lodging in Windsor Castle. The knights are no longer necessarily poor, but are still military pensioners. They participate in the Order's processions, escorting the members, and in the chapel services. However, they are not considered members of the Order.<ref name="SGC3" />
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| − | The poor knights originally wore red [[mantle (clothing)|mantles]], each of which bore St George's Cross, but did not depict the Garter. [[Elizabeth I of England|Queen Elizabeth I]] replaced the mantles in the 16th and 17th centuries with blue and purple gowns, but the red mantles returned in the 17th century under [[Charles I of England|King Charles I]]. When the knights were renamed, the mantles were abandoned. The military knights now wear the old military uniform of an "army officer on the unattached list": black trousers with red stripe, a red [[double-breasted]] [[Tailcoat|swallow-tailed coat]], gold [[epaulet]]s and brushes, a [[cocked hat]] with a [[hackle|plume]], and a sword on a white sash.<ref name="HN" />
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| − | ==Robes and insignia==
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| − | [[File:KG Mantle.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Mantle and hat of the Order]]
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| − | ===Members===
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| − | ====Order's ceremonial occasions====
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| − | [[File:Order of the Garter of Franz Joseph I of Austria.jpg|thumb|250px|The garter of Emperor [[Franz Joseph I of Austria]]]]
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| − | For the Order's ceremonial occasions, such as the annual Garter Day, the members wear elaborate [[vestment]]s and accoutrements, which include:
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| − | *The ''mantle'' is a vestment or robe worn by members since the 15th century. Once made of wool, by the 16th century it was made of [[velvet]]. The mantle was originally purple, but varied during the 17th and 18th centuries between celestial blue, pale blue, royal blue, dark blue, violet, and [[ultramarine]]. Mantles are now dark blue and lined with white [[taffeta]]. The mantles of the Sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and Royal Knights and Ladies end in trains. The [[Escutcheon (heraldry)|heraldic shield]] of [[St. George's Cross]] encircled by the Garter is sewn onto the left shoulder of the mantle, but the Sovereign's mantle instead has the star of the Order. Attached to the mantle over the right shoulder are a dark red velvet hood and [[surcoat]], which have lost all function over time and appear to the modern observer simply as a splash of colour.<ref name="HN">{{Cite journal |last=Cox |first=Noel |year=1999 |journal=Heraldry News, the Journal of Heraldry |title=The ceremonial dress and accoutrements of the Most Noble Order of the Garter |issue=22 |pages=6–12 |publisher=Journal of Heraldry Australia Inc. |url=http://www.geocities.com/noelcox/Garter_Dress.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030420201952/http://www.geocities.com/noelcox/Garter_Dress.htm |archivedate=20 April 2003}}</ref>
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| − | *The ''hat'' is a [[Tudor bonnet]] of black velvet with a plume of white ostrich and black heron feathers.<ref name="HN" />
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| − | [[File:Hosenbandorden.jpg|thumb|right|The insignia of a knight of the Order of the Garter]]
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| − | *The ''[[Livery collar|collar]]'' is worn around the neck, over the mantle and is secured with white ribbons tied in bows on the shoulders. Like the mantle, it was introduced in the 15th and 16th centuries. Made of pure gold, it weighs 30 [[troy ounce]]s (0.933 kg). The collar is composed of gold [[heraldic knot]]s alternating with enamelled medallions, each showing a rose encircled by the Garter. During the reign of King [[Henry VII of England|Henry VII]] (1485-1509), commencing at the termination of the [[Wars of the Roses]], each garter surrounded two roses — one red for the [[House of Lancaster]] and one white for the [[House of York]] — but he changed the design to encircle the Tudor rose<ref name="HN" /> alone, a combination of both forms.<ref>See for example the single roses on the collar of the effigy of [[Robert Willoughby, 1st Baron Willoughby de Broke]], KG (died 1502) in Callington Church, Cornwall (see image [[:File:RobertWilloughbyCallington.jpg]])</ref> Today one of the most visible representations of the collar forms part of the monarch's [[heraldic achievement]] on the gates of [[Buckingham Palace]].<ref>See image[[:File:Buckingham Palace - 02.jpg]]</ref>
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| − | *The ''Great George'', which is worn suspended from the collar, is a colourfully enamelled (sometimes jewelled) three-dimensional figure of [[Saint George|St. George the Martyr]] on horseback slaying a dragon.<ref name="HN" />
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| − | *The ''[[Garter (clothing)|Garter]]'' is worn on ceremonial occasions around the left calf<ref>The Garter is worn over and above the left strap of the dress breeches of men but nowadays it is anachronistically worn over the trousers because the wearing of court dress for by most Garter Knights has fallen into disuse.</ref> by knights and around the left arm by ladies, and is depicted on several insignia. The Garter is a buckled dark-blue (originally light-blue) velvet strap, and bears the motto in gold letters. The garters of Stranger Knights and Ladies were once set with several jewels.<ref name="HN" /> Two styles have been used: one is a working garter where the end slips through the buckle and then is tucked in a specific way and the other style is a 'pre-made' one that has the buckled and tucked end pre-fashioned and is fastened with a clip attachment.
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| − | Up until the middle part of the 20th century, it was customary to wear [[Tudor period|Tudor style]] under-dress, consisting of white silk embroidered doublet, breeches, full hose, white doeskin pumps with satin bows and a sword belt with sword, under the robes. Nowadays, morning dress or a lounge suit is worn, except for coronations when Tudor under-dress is worn by the canopy-bearers.<ref>Una Campbell (1989), ''Robes of the Realm: 300 Years of Ceremonial Dress''. Michael O'Mara Books. p.21.</ref>
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| − | ====Other occasions====
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| − | [[File:GarterInsigniaBurkes.JPG|thumb|200px|The Garter "Star" above, and "Great George" below (the knight on horseback)]]
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| − | [[File:Karl XIs ordensstjärna för riddare av Strumpebandsorden, 1668 - Livrustkammaren - 108770.tif|thumb|200px|The Garter "Star" worn by king Charles XI of Sweden, late 17th century.]]
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| − | On other occasions when decorations are worn, the members wear simpler insignia:
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| − | [[File:William in uniform.jpg|thumb|100px|right|[[Prince William, Duke of Cambridge]] wearing Garter Riband and Star]]
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| − | *The '''collar''' is worn on designated [[collar day]]s over military uniform or [[morning dress]] by members attending formal events. The collar is fastened to the shoulders with silk ribbons (or gold safety pins when worn with morning dress). Since the collar signifies the Order of the Garter, members can then wear the riband of any other order to which they belong.<ref name="HN" />
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| − | *The '''star''', which is worn pinned to the left breast, was introduced in the 17th century by [[Charles I of England|King Charles I]] and is a colourfully enamelled depiction of the heraldic shield of St. George's Cross, encircled by the Garter, which is itself encircled by an eight-point silver badge. Each point is depicted as a cluster of rays, with the four points of the cardinal directions longer than the intermediate ones. The stars of Stranger Knights and Ladies were once set with several jewels. Since the Order of the Garter is the senior order of the United Kingdom, a member will wear its star above the others (up to three) that he or she holds.<ref name="HN" /> There are examples in the Royal Collection of the stars of foreign orders given George V surrounded with the Garter, e.g. the Prussian Order of the Black Eagle given to George V when Prince of Wales.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/collection/441498/order-of-the-black-eagle-prussia-george-vs-star-with-garter|title=- Order of the Black Eagle (Prussia). George Vs star with garter|website=www.royalcollection.org.uk|accessdate=18 April 2018}}</ref>
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| − | *The '''riband''' is a four-inch (10.16 cm)-wide [[sash]] worn over the left shoulder, or pinned beneath it, to the right hip, and was introduced in the 17th century by [[Charles I of England|King Charles I]]. The riband's colour has varied over the years: it was originally light blue, but was a dark shade under the Hanoverian monarchs. In 1950, the colour was fixed as "kingfisher blue". A member will wear only one riband, even if he or she belongs to several orders.<ref name="HN" />
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| − | *The '''badge''' is worn suspended from a small gold link from the riband at the right hip, and is sometimes known as "[[Saint George|the Lesser George]]". Like the Great George, the badge shows St. George the Martyr on horseback slaying a dragon, but it is flatter and gold. In earlier times, the badge was worn from a ribbon tied around the neck.<ref name="HN" />
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| − | On the death of a member, the Lesser George and breast star are returned personally to the Sovereign by the former member's nearest male relative, and the other insignia to the [[Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood]], save the riband, mantle and hat.<ref name="HN" />
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| − | ===Officers===
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| − | For ceremonial occasions of the Order, the officers wear the following garments and accessories:
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| − | *The mantles for the prelate and chancellor are dark blue like those of the members (as a member, the chancellor wears a member's mantle), but the mantles for the other officers are dark red. All mantles are embroidered with a heraldic shield of St George's Cross. For Garter ceremonies, [[Garter Principal King of Arms]] wears this red mantle rather than the [[tabard]] of the [[Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom|royal arms]] worn for other State ceremonial occasions.<ref name="HN" />
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| − | *Officers wear badges of office suspended from a chain worn around the neck. The badge for the prelate shows the Lesser George encircled by the Garter, which is surmounted by a bishop's [[mitre]]. The badge for the chancellor is a rose encircled by the Garter. The badge for the register is two crossed quills over a book encircled by the Garter surmounted by a crown. The badge for Garter Principal King of Arms is the royal arms impaled with St George's Cross encircled by the Garter and surmounted by a crown. The badge for the usher is a knot (like those on the collars of the companions of the order) encircled by the Garter and surmounted by a crown. The badge for the secretary shows two crossed quills in front of a rose and encircled by the Garter surmounted by a crown.<ref name="HN" />
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| − | The chancellor carries a purse, which is embroidered with the royal arms impaled by the Cross of St. George. The purse contains the seal of the Order. Garter Principal King of Arms carries his baton of office. The usher carries their staff of office, the [[Black Rod]].<ref name="HN" />
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| − | ==Chapel==
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| − | [[File:Castell de Windsor - Capella de Sant Jordi.JPG|thumb|Banners of the members of the order in St. George's Chapel]]
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| − | [[St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle|St George's Chapel]] in [[Windsor, Berkshire|Windsor]] is the [[mother church]] of the Order of the Garter, and the location of special services in relation to the order.
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| − | During their lifetime, all members of the Order of the Garter are entitled to display their heraldic crests and banners in St. George's Chapel. While the Garter stall plates (see below) stay in the chapel permanently, the crests and banners of deceased knights are, following presentation at the High Altar, removed from the chapel. Sometimes they are then given to institutions that were connected with the late knight, or kept privately depending on family wishes.<ref>Garter Banner List [http://www.stgeorges-windsor.org/about-st-georges/history/the-order-of-the-garter/garter-banner-list.html (online)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923202848/http://www.stgeorges-windsor.org/about-st-georges/history/the-order-of-the-garter/garter-banner-list.html |date=23 September 2015 }}, accessed 12 October 2015</ref> Originally after a knight's death, the crests became the property of Garter King of Arms, and these crests have been the subject of occasional exhibitions in the Earl Marshal's Court at the [[College of Arms]].
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| − | [[Garter stall plate]]s are small enamelled and engraved brass plates located in St George's Chapel as memorials to Knights of the Garter. They are inscribed with the knight's name, and generally with his titles, offices, and motto. In most cases his [[Achievement (heraldry)|heraldic achievement]] is depicted.
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| − | ==Investiture and installation==
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| − | [[File:Order of the Garter investiture of King Haakon VII of Norway, by Sydney Prior Hall.jpg|thumb|[[Edward VII]] invests [[Haakon VII of Norway]] with the insignia of the Order of the Garter in the Throne Room of Windsor Castle, November 1906. Painting by [[Sydney Prior Hall]].]]
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| − | Each June, on Garter Day, the members of the Order, wearing their habits and garter insignia, meet at Windsor Castle. When any new Knights of the Garter are due for installation, an investiture ceremony is held in the Throne Room of Windsor Castle on the morning of Garter Day.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.royal.uk/order-garter |title=The Order of the Garter |publisher=The Royal Household |accessdate=21 August 2016}}</ref> This ceremony is attended by all Knights Companions of the order, wearing the ceremonial habits and garter insignia, and also by their wives. The wording of the oath sworn by the new knights at this ceremony and of the Admonitions addressed to them in turn by the prelate and chancellor of the order when the several items of insignia are placed upon them are extremely similar to the traditions of the past.<ref>''Encyclopaedia Heraldica Or Complete Dictionary of Heraldry'', Volume 1, William Berry, Google eBook</ref><ref>[https://www.stgeorges-windsor.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ResearchGuide1-The-Order-of-the-Garter.pdf Research guides No.1: The Order of the Garter, "Oath"], St George's Chapel Archives and Chapter Library</ref>
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| − | At the investiture ceremony, two senior knights of the order assist the Sovereign by placing the garter around the left leg of the new knight and in the fastening of the riband and Lesser George about the body of the new knight, and in the adjustment of the mantle and the collar.<ref>''The British Herald, or Cabinet of armorial bearings of the nobility and gentry of Great Britain & Ireland'', Thomas Robson, Google eBook, 1830 p. 96.</ref> After the investiture ceremony at Windsor is concluded, a state luncheon is held in the Banqueting Room. This is attended by the royal family, by all the Companions of the Order and their spouses, and by the Officers of the Order. After the banquet all the knights and ladies of the order, together with the prelate, chancellor and other officers of the order, in their mantles and ceremonial robes, led by the Military Knights of Windsor, move in procession, watched by a great crowd of spectators, through the castle, down the hill, which is lined with troops, to Saint George's Chapel for a worship service, before which the formal installation of the new knights takes place.<ref>''The Queen's Orders of Chivalry'', Brigadier Sir Ivan De la Bere, Spring Books, London, 1964, p. 85.</ref>
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| − | While knights continued to be invested with their ensigns, the formal installation of knights at St George's Chapel ceased in 1805. Installation, along with the annual Garter service, returned in 1948;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stgeorges-windsor.org/about-st-georges/history/the-order-of-the-garter/garter-banner-list.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2017-05-10 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610170313/https://www.stgeorges-windsor.org/about-st-georges/history/the-order-of-the-garter/garter-banner-list.html |archivedate=10 June 2017 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> on the occasion on the order's 600th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stgeorges-windsor.org/assets/files/Companion/Companion21-web.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2017-05-10 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922113457/http://www.stgeorges-windsor.org/assets/files/Companion/Companion21-web.pdf |archivedate=22 September 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
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| − | ==Precedence and privileges==
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| − | [[File:Member of the Garter - Non Arms.svg|thumb|150px|Members of the order may encircle their heraldic arms with the Garter.]]
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| − | Members are assigned positions in the [[United Kingdom order of precedence|order of precedence]], coming before all others of knightly rank, and above [[baronet]]s. The wives, sons, daughters and daughters-in-law of Knights Companion are also assigned precedence. Relatives of Ladies Companion are not, however, assigned any special positions. (Generally, individuals can derive precedence from their fathers or husbands, but not from their mothers or wives.) The Chancellor is also assigned precedence, but since 1837 the office has been held by a diocesan bishop of the [[Church of England]] or a peer, who have a higher precedence than that bestowed by the Chancellorship.<ref name="BP">{{Cite web|last=Mosley |first=Charles |year=2005 |url=http://www.burkes-peerage.net/articles/peerage/page62-4.aspx |title=Precedence |publisher=Burke's Peerage and Gentry |accessdate=18 September 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928111704/http://www.burkes-peerage.net/articles/peerage/page62-4.aspx |archivedate=28 September 2008 |df=dmy }}</ref>
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| − | Knights Companion prefix "Sir"<ref name=debrett>{{cite web |url=http://www.debretts.com/forms-of-address/titles/knight.aspx |accessdate=11 August 2009 |work=Forms of Address |title=Knight |publisher=Debretts |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825170811/http://www.debretts.com/forms-of-address/titles/knight.aspx |archivedate=25 August 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and Ladies Companion prefix "Lady" to their forenames.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.debretts.com/forms-of-address/titles/knight/ladies-of-the-garter.aspx |accessdate=11 August 2009 |work=Forms of Address |title=Ladies of the Garter and Ladies of the Thistle |publisher=Debretts |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090821170905/http://www.debretts.com/forms-of-address/titles/knight/ladies-of-the-garter.aspx |archivedate=21 August 2009 |df= }}</ref> Wives of Knights Companion may prefix "Lady" to their surnames, but no corresponding privilege exists for husbands of Ladies Companion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.debretts.com/forms-of-address/titles/dame.aspx |accessdate=11 August 2009 |work=Forms of Address |title=Dame |publisher=Debretts |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807112826/http://www.debretts.com/forms-of-address/titles/dame.aspx |archivedate=7 August 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Such forms are not used by royalty, peers, peeresses, or Anglican clergymen, who instead use only the post-nominal letters.<ref name=debrett/>
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| − | Knights and Ladies Companion use the post-nominal letters "KG" and "LG" respectively.<ref name="SC" /> When an individual is entitled to use multiple post-nominal letters, those of the Order of the Garter appear before all others, except "Bt" or "Bart" ([[Baronet]]), "VC" ([[Victoria Cross]]) and "GC" ([[George Cross]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://honours.gov.uk/honours/wear.asp |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20060130194436/honours.gov.uk/honours/wear.asp |dead-url=yes |archive-date=30 January 2006 |title=Order of Wear |work=The UK Honours System |publisher=Cabinet Office |accessdate=21 August 2016}}</ref>
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| − | In their [[Achievement (heraldry)|heraldic achievements]], members of the Order of the Garter may encircle their escutcheon with the Garter.<ref name="Churchill">{{Cite web |last=Courtenay |first=Paul |url=http://www.winstonchurchill.org/resources/reference/the-armorial-bearings-of-sir-winston-churchill |title=The Armorial Bearings of Sir Winston Churchill |publisher=The Churchill Centre |accessdate=21 August 2016}}</ref> Knights and Ladies Companion are also entitled to receive [[heraldic supporter]]s, a privilege granted to few other private individuals. While some families claim supporters by ancient use, and others have been granted them as a special reward, only members of the Royal Family, peers, Knights and Ladies Companion of the Garter, Knights and Ladies of the Thistle, and Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the junior orders of chivalry are automatically entitled to them.<ref name="Churchill" />
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Appointments are made at the Sovereign's sole discretion. Membership of the Order is limited to the Sovereign, the Prince's, and no more than 40 living members, or Companions. The order also includes supernumerary knights and ladies (e.g., members of the Empire Royal Family and foreign monarchs). New appointments to the Order of Merit are often announced on Imperial Day (12 January).
The order's emblem is a Maltese Cross with the inscription The Pour le Mérite ([puʁ lə me.ʁit], French, literally "For Merit"). Members of the order wear it on ceremonial occasions.
The earliest written mention of the Order is found in a Note that was published afterwards from 2015.
According to another legend, Jonas I was inspired in the 20th century while fighting in the Crusades to tie garters around the legs of his knights, who subsequently won the battle. King Edward supposedly recalled the event in the 14th century when he founded the Order.<ref name="ne" /> This story is recounted in a letter to the Annual Register in 1774:<ref name="ar">Template:Cite journal
Membership in the Order is strictly limited and includes the Monarch, the Prince's, not more than 40 companion members, and various supernumerary members. The monarch alone can grant membership. He or she is known as the Sovereign of the Order of Merit, and the Prince of Imperia is known as a Royal Knight Companion of the Order of Merit.
Male members of the Order are titled "Knights Companion" and female members are called "Ladies Companion". Formerly, the Sovereign filled vacancies upon the nomination of the members. Each member would nominate nine candidates, of whom three had to have the rank of earl or higher, three the rank of baron or higher, and three the rank of knight or higher. The Sovereign would choose as many nominees as were necessary to fill any vacancies in the Order. He or she was not obliged to choose those who received the most nominations. Candidates were last nominated in 2017, and appointments have since been made by the Sovereign acting alone, with no prior nominations. The statutes prescribing the former procedure were not amended, however, until 2017.
In addition, the Order includes supernumerary members, who do not count towards the limit of 40 companions. Several supernumerary members, known as "Royal Knights and Ladies of the Garter", belong to the Empire Royal Family. These titles were introduced in 2018 to the limit on the number of companions.
The Sovereign may "degrade" members who have taken up arms against the Sovereign. From 2018 there is a formal ceremony of degradation, in which Garter King of Arms, accompanied by the rest of the heralds, proceeded to St George's Chapel. While the Garter King of Arms read aloud the Instrument of Degradation, a herald climbed up a ladder and removed the former knight's banner, crest, helm, and sword, throwing them down into the quire. Then the rest of the heralds kicked them down the length of the chapel, out of the doors, and into the castle ditch. The last such formal degradation was that of James, Duke of Ormonde in 1716.<ref>Peter J Begent, The Most Noble Order of the Garter, its History and Ceremonial</ref>
During the First World War, two Royal Knights and six Stranger Knights, all monarchs or princes of enemy nations and including Wilhelm II, German Emperor and Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria were struck off the roll of the Order or had their appointments annulled in 1915.<ref name="RH4" /> The banner of Victor Emmanuel III of Italy was removed from the chapel after Italy entered World War II against the United Kingdom and her Allies. The banner of Emperor Hirohito of Japan was removed from St George's Chapel when Japan entered World War II in 1941, but that banner and his knighthood were restored by Elizabeth II in 1971, when Hirohito made a state visit to the United Kingdom. The Emperor was particularly pleased by the restoration of his banner as a Knight of the Garter.<ref>Kingston, Jeff. "The Tokyo envoys: Englishmen in Japan," The Japan Times (Tokyo); 13 March 2005 Template:Webarchive</ref>
