Colourful Installation Of Knights Of Garter

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28010, 3 July 1956, Page 9

Colourful Installation Of Knights Of Garter

(From the London Correspondent of “The Press”!

LONDON. June 20. There is nothing, except the Coronation. to match the ancient ceremony of installing recipients are Knigh’s Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the most highly-prized, along with the Victoria Cross, of Britain’s many orders and decorations.

King Edward 111 founded the order in about 1348 and throughout history it has remained an honour highly prized by peer and commoner alike. The list of recipients is comparatively small, only 917 knights being appointed in more than 600 years, but it contains many of the greatest historical figures of a country that has bred men of history. This week saw Earl Iveagh, Sir Anthony Eden and Earl Attlee installed with all the trappings and splendour that has attended the service for hundreds of years, and yet the service had its own historical point. It was the first time a Prime Minister of Great Britain and a former Prime Minister had been installed at one and the same time.

The scene was Windsor Castle where, as "The Times” put it, “th® river of English history ripples softly past the ancient walls, to Runnymede and Westminster, and London Bridge, and the seven seas.”

The Queen entered the Throne Room accompanied by the Queen Mother and the Dukes of Edinburgh and Gloucester—all members of the brotherhood—and attended by six officers of the Order: the Bishop of Winchester as Prelate, the Dean of Windsor as Register, Lord Halifax, K.G., as Chancellor, and the Garter King of Arms, the Black Rod and Secretary.

Black Rod conducted the new Knights with their supporters into the Throne Room. Sir Anthony Eden was attended by Sir Winston Churchill and Lord Montgomery, Earl Iveagh by Lord Stanhope and Lord Salisbury; Earl Attlee by Lord Alexander of Tunis and the Duke of Wellington. Each of the three new Knights was summoned in turn to the Throne where the Queen buckled the blue and gold garter on his left leg, affixed the ribbon and star and placed over his shoulders the velvet mantle and collar of gold, while the Prelate pronounced appropriate words of admpnition to knightly service and virtue.

This was followed by feasting at the Round Table, as was King Arthur's wont. To this stage the service had been in private, but the remainder was open to those fortunate few able to obtain tickets of admission for the slow march or the service in St. George’s Chapel. Formal Installation Here the Knights were formally installed. The names of each of the three was called out and he was led to his stall, where he sat under the carved oak canopies, each adorned with sword, helm and banner, while prayers were said. Watching from the loft was Prince Charles, Duke of Cornwall, who will one day occupy the Prince’s stall as second dignitary of the brotherhood. And so .the first installation since 11954 was completed. Sir Anthony

Eden and Earl Iveagh were to have been installed last year, but this service was cancelled because of the railway strike, an emergency not contemplated in the code of chivalry.

So once more the Order has been filled. No new Knight Companion may be appointed until a present member dies. The Order consists of 25 Knights Companions and in addition the Prince of Wales and such other members of the Royal Family and foreign sovereigns as the English sovereign may see fit to, appoint.

Prince Charles will automatically become a Knight of the Garter when he is created Prince of Wales.