The Most Noble Order of the Garter

 

The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry and the most prestigious honour(after the Victoria Cross and George Cross) in England and of the United Kingdom, and is dedicated to the image and arms of St. George as England's patron saint. It is awarded at the Sovereign's pleasure as his or her personal gift, on recipients from the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms. Membership of the order is limited to the Sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and no more than 24 members, or Companions. The order also includes supernumeraryknights and  ladies  (e.g. members of the British Royal Family and foreign monarchs).

The order's emblem, depicted on insignia, is a garter with the motto Honi soit qui mal y pense (Middle French: "shame on him who thinks evil of it") in  gold lettering. Members of the order wear such a garter on ceremonial occasions.

New appointments to the Order of the Garter are always announced on St George's Day, 23 April, as Saint George is thepatron saint of England.[2]