New appointments to the Order of the Garter announced

Her Majesty The Queen has been graciously pleased to appoint Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, G.C.V.O. to be a Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. 

In addition, The Queen has been graciously pleased to appoint The Right Honourable Valerie Ann, Baroness Amos C.H. to be a Lady Companion and The Right Honourable Anthony Charles Lynton Blair to be a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

Background

The appointment of Royal Knights and Ladies is in the gift of The Queen and there is no limit on the number.

The appointment of the Knights and Ladies of the Garter is in The Queen's gift (i.e. without Prime Ministerial advice). Appointments to the Order of the Garter are therefore in the same category as the Order of the Thistle, the Order of Merit and the Royal Victorian Order which are also in The Queen's gift. Today's announcement brings the number of Companions to 21 (out of a maximum of 24).

Baroness Amos C.H (born 13th March 1954) has previously been Chief Executive, Equal Opportunities Commission (1989-1994), Secretary of State for International Development, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Lords (2003-2007), Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator, UN (2010-2015) and is currently Master, University College Oxford.

Anthony Charles Lynton Blair was Prime Minister from 1997-2007. He is now Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, a not-for-profit organisation which works around the world.

The appointments are effective from 1st January, 2022.