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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 friends 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.
Now that he and Meghan have left, I don’t think he ever will be, unless he returns to the fold.