Ladies Companion of The Garter
Soon after the founding of the Order, women were appointed "Ladies of the Garter," but were not made companions. King Henry VII discontinued the practice in 1488; his mother, Margaret Beaufort, was the last Lady of the Garter before Queen Alexandra. Except for female sovereigns, the next Lady of the Garter named was Queen Alexandra, by her husband King Edward VII. King George V also made his consort, Queen Mary, a Lady of the Garter and King George VI subsequently did the same for his wife, Queen Elizabeth. Throughout the 20th century, women continued to be associated with the Order, but except for foreign female monarchs, they were not made companions. In 1987, however, it became possible to install "Ladies Companion of the Garter" under a statute of Elizabeth II.
Read more about this topic: Order Of The Garter
Famous quotes containing the words ladies, companion and/or garter:
“And ladies with their nails prepared for tea
And sunken barques that coast the shores of hell
And old men vacant of propriety
Have faintly rung a next-door neighbor’s bell.”
—Allen Tate (1899–1979)
“I endeavor not to conceal that I believe there is a great mixture of desire in the passion which is called love—or rather, without any far-fetched strain on words, it may be called the companion of love.”
—Sarah Fielding (1710–1768)
“When first this order was ordained, my lords,
Knights of the Garter were of noble birth,
Valiant and virtuous, full of haughty courage.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)