Knight of the Order of the Garter

The Order of the Garter is like the most special club in England, and you can't just join! It's for people the King or Queen thinks are super important and have done amazing things. It's one of the oldest orders of chivalry, which means it’s a very old way of being a knight. Being invited is a HUGE honor, like getting a gold star from the Queen herself!

This fancy club started a super long time ago, way back in 1348! That's older than most castles you've ever seen. It was started by King Edward III of England. He wanted to create a group of knights who were the very best and most loyal. They would meet and have special ceremonies, wearing beautiful robes and sashes.

The most famous thing about the Order of the Garter is the big blue ribbon, called a garter, that members wear around their leg! It sounds a bit funny, but there's a story that a lady dropped her garter at a party, and King Edward III picked it up. He said, 'Honi soit qui mal y pense,' which means 'Shame on anyone who thinks evil of it.' This is still the motto of the Order!

Today, the King or Queen still chooses who gets to be part of the Order. It’s not just for knights anymore, but for very important people and even some royals from other countries. They get to wear a special blue garter and a beautiful cape. It’s a way of saying, 'You are one of the most special people in our country!'