Queen Elizabeth Appoints Camilla to the Order of the Garter

Queen Elizabeth has bestowed one of her highest honors to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

Buckingham Palace announced yesterday that Camilla has been appointed a Royal Lady of the Order of the Garter, the most senior order of knighthood in the British honors system, per People. The Order of the Garter was founded by Edward III in 1348 and includes several members of the royal family and 24 knights who are personally chosen by the monarch to honor those who have contributed to national life or personally served the queen.

Other appointments include Baroness Valerie Ann Amos, who was declared to be a Lady Companion, and former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who was given the title of Knight Companion.

The traditional Order of the Garter ceremony, hosted by the queen, takes place at Windsor Castle every June, with a grand procession of the knights accompanied by a marching band and Officers of the Order in ceremonial dress. Prince Charles and Prince William are both members, as were Prince Philip and Sir Winston Churchill during their lifetimes.

Camilla's appointment comes a week after she and Prince Charles celebrated Christmas with the queen at Windsor Castle. Charles and Camilla also attended a Christmas morning church service at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

For their annual Christmas card, Prince Charles and Camilla released a candid photo taken by Samir Hussein at Royal Ascot last summer. Both of them are masked in the picture, which appeared to pay tribute to the second pandemic year.

You Might Also Like

• 12 Weekend Getaway Spas For Every Type of Occasion

• What Your Favorite Champagne Brand Says About You

• Beauty Gurus Share Their Makeup Secrets for Older Women