LETTER FROM HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7871, 5 August 1911, Page 11

LETTER FROM HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

jyr ES T. M. Wilford, wife of tho Mayor t * of Wellington, who was secretary of the Now Zealand committee, has received from the Lady Mary Trqfusis, one of the executive committee, a letter (tho text of which, with the Queen’s , autograph, appears above) conveying her Majesty’s thanks to the Marys of the Empire for their special gift subscribed on the occasion of her Coronation. The loal fund

reached JHI.OOO, of which £4OOO- is. being spent upon her Majesty’s Insignia of the Order of tho Garter, which, with x>ictures of the King and the Prince of Wales, for her sitting-room, has been chosen by Queen Mary for the personal part of - the gift. Tho remaining .£lO,000 will be given to a charity. Lady Mary Trefusis states that it is believed her Majesty has practically decided to start a Rest and Holiday Home for working girls iu London—belonging to - the Girls' Club Union. The Insignia consists of:

(1) The Garter, an armler or. blueribbed silk, edged with borders of brilliants, bearing the motto,! ”Honi .-soit qui mal y pense,” 1 in brilliants, the buckle .and pin being composed of larger brilliants, while the Garter terminates in a floral design with - a single drop brilliant forming a pendant. (2) The Badge is a most beautiful work of art, the centre being a finely carved sardonyx cameo of St. George and

the Dragon, round which is the motto I of the Order in diamonds; this is encircled by a border of larger brilliants. Surmounting tho Badge is a floral design iu larger brilliants, terminating in a ring of diamonds into which fits a loop of bold design attaching the blue silk ribbon to the Badge itself. (3) The Star of eight points is a blaze of diamonds; in tho centre is the plaiii cross of St. George in . specially cut rubies, encircled by tho motto of tho Order in diamonds, on a royal blue enamelled garter; this again is surrounded by a circlet of fine diamonds. (4) A Shoulder Brooch, composed of a double row of fine brilliants, five in each-row, is used to secure the ribbon to tho dress. The Insignia is fitted in a case bearing a gold plate with the following inscription: Presented to HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY. In Loyal Homage From the Mxbts of the Empire, As a Coronation Gift. Juno 22nd, 1911. Queen Mary and Queen Alexandra aro the only lady members of the Order of the Gaiter. The youngest peer attending the Coronation was Lord Donegal!, not yet eight years pM. Lady Clifton, of Leighton Bromswold, who inherited the title on

the death of her father, the late Lord Darnley, when she was only a few months-old, was also in her place at the Abbey. She is eleven years of age.

Diamond Insignia of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.