The Duchess of Gloucester has been named as a Royal Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
The King appointed her to the Order on April 23rd 2024, St. George’s Day, the traditional time for appointments to the oldest order of chivalry in Britain.
The appointment is in the gift of His Majesty. In its announcement, Buckingham Palace said that the Duchess ”takes great pride in the work which she undertakes for her many charities and organisations, as well as her duties in support of the Monarch.”
It cites her work with over sixty organisations involved in the arts, sport and health and welfare as well as her military associations.
Three new Knights of the Order are also named. They include Lord Peach, Air Chief Marshal who carried the Sword of Mercy at the Coronation in May 2023. The other new appointments are the Lord Kakkar, a leading figure in the field of venous diseases and cancer associated thrombosis and Lord Lloyd-Webber, the world renowned musician and composer.
The King has also appointed the Prince of Wales as Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. Prince William follows King Charles in the role. His Majesty held the position from 1974 until 2022 and his accession to the throne. Previous royal Great Masters include Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester who served between 1942 and 1974 and his predecessor, Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, the third son of Queen Victoria.
The Queen is made Grand Master and Principal Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, following the Duke of Edinburgh who held the role between 1953 and 2021. Before that, the position belonged to Queen Mary.
The Princess of Wales is made a Royal Companion of The Order of Companions of Honour, a recognition given for outstanding service in the fields of arts and public service.
