In 2008, Prince Harry and Kate Middleton giggled as Prince William joined the procession of the Most Noble Order of the Garter at Windsor Castle.
What Harry and Catherine found so funny on that day in June was William’s uniform – a velvet robe and plumed hat that made him look a bit like a Shakespeare character.
Those two dopes (I use that term endearingly) failed to recognize that the Most Noble Order of the Garter is Britain’s oldest Order of Chivalry, and it only includes 24 members, plus the Sovereign.
Today, I wondered when (or perhaps even if) Harry would be invited into the order, which was started in 1348 by King Edward III.
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In 2015, Harry was made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO), gifted by the Queen to people who have served her or the Monarchy in a personal way.
Even better, only “granny” (the Sovereign) is able to appoint such positions.
Still, he is not yet a member of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, which includes his older brother, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and Prince Edward.
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I asked Twitter and awaited answers.
The Sun‘s royal reporter, Emily Andrews had some good insight, noting that a royal’s presence at a state banquet was an indication that he or she was moving up in the ranks:
@TheDuchessDiary he hasn’t been to a state banquet (the Spanish wd have been his first)so few more years yet. Wd he want to wear the robes?!
— Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) June 13, 2016
My spirit animals at Go Fug Yourself shared another possible theory:
@TheDuchessDiary the commentariat at GFY seemed to think QE2 might wait until after he’s married. – J
— Heather & Jessica (@fuggirls) June 13, 2016
More insight from my royal Tweep friends, most of whom believe it won’t happen until after Charles ascends the throne.
@TheDuchessDiary His father’s Coronation Honours list.
— Ella Kay (@courtjeweller) June 13, 2016
@royalmusing @TheDuchessDiary @courtjeweller William got his very early because he would be 1000th Knight.
— Cepe Smith (@CepeSmith) June 13, 2016
@CepeSmith @TheDuchessDiary I think if the “slimmed-down” monarchy idea holds, we could see a focus on W&H + their wives, Garter and all.
— Ella Kay (@courtjeweller) June 13, 2016
@TheDuchessDiary @CepeSmith @courtjeweller younger sons tend to wait, let alone younger grandsons
— Marlene Koenig (@royalmusing) June 13, 2016
@TheDuchessDiary Perhaps when he marries?
— Protocol Expert (@operamaven) June 13, 2016
@CepeSmith @TheDuchessDiary If tradition holds, Camilla will get the Garter before the coronation, not in the Coronation Honours List.
— Ella Kay (@courtjeweller) June 13, 2016
@courtjeweller @TheDuchessDiary But Camilla, as his Queen, will be first on her own
— Cepe Smith (@CepeSmith) June 13, 2016
@CepeSmith @courtjeweller @TheDuchessDiary Camilla will rank higher than Harry, & she will be 1st Lady of land. She will be C’s 1st royal
— Marlene Koenig (@royalmusing) June 13, 2016
Truth be told, I would love to see the Queen appoint Harry, since she’s witnessed the good work he’s done with charities and as a soldier in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.
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