On Monday, members of the British royal family came together to celebrate the Order of the Garter, a tradition that has hundreds of years of history. Established in the 1300s by King Edward III, the Order of the Garter includes the reigning monarch, the Prince of Wales and two dozen knights and ladies.
The appointments are wholly based on the monarch’s decision, and include more than just members of the British royal family and international royals. Among the 2024 appointees, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, the composer behind musicals “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Cats,” and more, will join the Order of the Garter.
Ahead see the members of the British royal family who hold this distinguished title.
King Charles III
Queen Camilla and King Charles III at Monday’s service.
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When Queen Elizabeth II was still queen, she appointed then-Prince Charles as a member of the Order of the Garter. He officially joined the ranks in 1968 when he was just 20 years old. Now, as sovereign, King Charles may appoint members of the Order of the Garter himself.
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and her husband Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh at Monday’s service.
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Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Elizabeth II’s youngest son, was appointed to the Order of the Garter in 2006. Seated next to him at the 2024 festivities was his wife Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.
Princess Anne
Anne, Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence at Monday’s service.
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In 1994, Princess Anne was appointed as a member of the Order of the Garter. Unlike other appointees, Princess Anne requested to be installed as a knight rather than a lady of the Order of the Garter.
Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester and Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester
Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester and Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester at Monday’s service.
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A first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was appointed to the Order of the Garter in 1997. His wife, Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, was appointed to the Order of the Garter in 2024.
Princess Alexandra
Britain’s Princess Alexandra (C) and Britain’s Prince Edward, Duke of Kent (R) in June 2018.
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Princess Alexandra, a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, was appointed to the Order of the Garter in 2003. She is also known in the royal family as the Honourable Lady Ogilvy.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York
Prince Andrew, Duke of York in June 2013.
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Prince Andrew was appointed to the Order of the Garter in 2006, alongside his younger brother Prince Edward. Prince Andrew missed the 2022 and 2023 ceremonies following allegations of sexual abuse and his association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent in June 2013.
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Prince Edward, Duke of Kent is a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II. He was appointed to the Order of the Garter in 1985.
Prince William
Prince William, Prince of Wales at Monday’s service.
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Prince William, a grandson of Queen Elizabeth II and the future monarch, was appointed to the Order of the Garter in 2008 by his late grandmother.
Queen Camilla
Queen Camilla at Monday’s service.
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Prior to her death in September 2022, Queen Elizabeth II named the future Queen Camilla a member of the Order of the Garter. The appointment was significant, as it is rare for a person who marries into the royal family to be named into the order unless they are the sovereign’s spouse at the time of appointment.
