Order of The Garter - Investure Ceremony of New Knights of The Garter

Investure Ceremony of New Knights of The Garter

The Order of the Garter once held services at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, but they became rare in the 18th century. The Garter services, discontinued in 1805, were revived by King George VI in 1948 and have become an annual event. Each June, on the Monday of Royal Ascot week, the members of the Order, wearing their habits and garter insignia, meet in the state apartments in the Upper Ward of Windsor Castle. When any new Knights of the Garter are due for installation, an investiture ceremony is held in the Throne Room at Windsor Castle on the morning of some date within a month or so of Saint George’s Day—often on the first day of Royal Ascot week in June when the Court is at Windsor. This ceremony is attended by all Knights Companions of the order, wearing the ceremonial habits and garter insignia, and also by their wives. The wording of the oath sworn by the new knights at this ceremony and of the Admonitions addressed to them in turn by the prelate and chancellor of the order when the several items of insignia are placed upon them are exactly the same as they were at the time of Henry the Eighth, and probably earlier than that. The Admonitions are as follows:

Upon Putting on of the Garter

To the honour of God omnipotent and in Memorial of the blessed Martyr Saint George, tie about thy leg, for thy Renown, this most noble Garter: Wear it as a sumbol ofn the most illustrious Order of never to be forgotten or laid aside, that thereby thou mayest be admonished to be courageous, and having undertaken a just war, with which thou shalt be engaged, thou mayest stand firm, valiantly fight, courageously and successfully conquer.

Upon Putting on of the Riband and Lessor George

Wear this riband, adorned with the Image of the Blessed Martyr and Soldier of Christ, Saint George, by whose imitation provoked thou mayest so overpass both prosperous and adverse encounters, that having been stoutly vanished thine enemies, both of body and soul, thou mayest not only receive the praise of this transient combat, but be crowned with the palm of eternal victory.

Upon Putting on the Mantle

Receive this robe of heavenly colour the livery of thisn most excellent Order, in augmentation of thine honour, ennobled with the shield and red Cross of our Lord, by whose power thou mayest safely pierce troops of thine enemies and be over them ever victorious, and being in this temporal warfare glorious, in egregious and heroic actions, thou mayest obtain eternal and triumphant joy.

Upon putting on the Collar and George

Wear this Collar about thy neck, adorned with the image of the blessed martyr and soldier of Christ, Saint George, by whose imitation provoked thou mayest so overpass both prosperous and adverse encounters, that having been stoutly vanished thine enemies, both of body and soul, thou mayest not only receive the praise of this transient combat, but be crowned with the palm of eternal victory.

At the investiture ceremony the Admonitions are read in turn by the prelate and chancellor of the order and several insignia are offered on a cushion to the Sovereign by Garter King of Arms, Black Rod, and the secretary of the order, in turn, so that the Sovereign may perform the ceremony of investiture. Two senior knights of the order assist the Sovereign in there ceremonies by placing the garter around the left leg of the new knight and by assisting the Sovereign in the fastening of the riband and Lesser George about the body of the new knight, and in the adjustment of the mantle and the collar. After the investiture ceremony at Windsor is concluded, a state luncheon is held in the Banqueting Room. This is attended by the royal Family, by all the Companions of the Order and their ladies and by the Officers of the Order. the members and officers of the Order, wearing their ceremonial habits and robes process on foot, led by the Military Knights of Windsor, through the castle to St George's Chapel for the service. After the banquet all the knights and ladies of the order, together with the prelate, chancellor and other officers of the order, all in their mantles and ceremonial robes, led by Military Knights of Windsor, move in procession, watched by a great crowd of spectators, from the castle, down the hill, which is lined with troops, to Saint George’s Chapel for a worship service, before which the formal installation of the new knights takes place. After the service, the members return to the Upper Ward by carriage.