Prince William will become a ‘Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter’ on Monday (16.06.08).
Popular on LondonNet
The future king will have to wear a black ostrich-plumed hat, a red hood, a blue velvet cloak lined with white satin, a silver star, a priceless miniature of St George and the Dragon dangling from a chain of solid gold and a garter strapped just below his left knee when he collects the prestigious honour from his grandmother Queen Elizabeth.
He will become the 1,000th knight of the Garter since Edward III appointed the Black Prince as the first one in 1348.
Before he receives his award, William will have to walk through royal residence Windsor Castle for nearly a quarter of a mile in front of thousands of people and the world’s media.
Once he’s in the castle, the other knights will gather in the Garter Throne Room to see a private investiture for the three new additions – William plus Lord Luce, the former Lord Chamberlain, and Sir Thomas Dunne, Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire.
The queen will give each of them a garter, inscribed: ‘Honi Soit Qui Mal y Pense’, which will be attached below the left knee over the trouser leg.
Reciting ancient words of welcome, she will place the blue riband of the order over the knight’s shoulder, followed by the velvet robes.
When the 25-year-old prince is given his honour, it will markexactly 40 years since his father Prince Charles was invested as a member of the oldest order of chivalry in the world.
