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Tony Blair to join Queen's highest chivalry order at Windsor ceremony Prince Andrew out of view as Tony Blair receives royal honour
(about 1 hour later)
Sir Tony Blair becomes a member of the Order of the Garter chosen by the QueenSir Tony Blair becomes a member of the Order of the Garter chosen by the Queen
Sir Tony Blair, the Duchess of Cornwall and Baroness Amos are to be installed as members of the Order of the Garter, a prestigious royal order of chivalry, at a ceremony later on Monday. Sir Tony Blair, the Duchess of Cornwall and Baroness Amos have become members of the Order of the Garter, the most senior royal order of chivalry.
The Queen will attend but is unlikely to appear in public parts of the ceremony, in Windsor. But the Duke of York has not appeared in public at the ceremony in Windsor, only attending a private part of the event, after a "family decision".
The former PM received his knighthood from the Queen on Friday and will now join this medieval royal order. Baroness Amos, who took part in a procession wearing robes and plumed hat, is the first black member of the order since its foundation in 1348.
The Duke of York is attending - but is staying out of the public procession. Members are chosen by the Queen.
It means Prince Andrew will not appear before crowds watching the colourful Order of the Garter procession and will not attend a church service, in what has been described as a "family decision". She attended some of the private elements of "Garter Day" at Windsor, but the 96-year-old monarch was not expected to appear in public.
The duke, who missed the Platinum Jubilee celebrations after testing positive for Covid, will limit his attendance to the investiture and private lunch at the Order of the Garter ceremony.
The Queen, who has been having mobility problems, will also attend the lunch and investitures only and not the public ceremonies of "Garter Day".
Baroness Amos becomes the first black member of the orderBaroness Amos becomes the first black member of the order
The ceremony, at Windsor Castle, will see Baroness Amos, a former Labour cabinet minister and UN under-secretary, become the first black member of the order since it was founded in 1348. Each year, members of the order - which has up to 24 people plus "royal companions" - gather at Windsor Castle for a colourful ceremony with music, pageantry, elaborate uniforms and a parade.
Baroness Amos, born in Guyana, said the honour was "absolutely amazing" and she was thinking about her parents who "worked so hard and were so supportive". As well as the three new members being installed, there had been speculation about whether Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, would take part, in his capacity as one of the royal members of the order.
He did attend, but kept out of the procession seen by the crowds and a church service and only went to the investiture and a private lunch.
There was music and pageantry for a ceremony previously stopped by the pandemic
Baroness Amos, a former Labour cabinet minister and UN under-secretary, said the honour of joining the order was "absolutely amazing" and she was thinking about her parents who "worked so hard and were so supportive".
Asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme about reports the Prince of Wales had privately criticised sending refugees to Rwanda, she said she would not comment on Prince Charles but, in her own personal view, the policy was "shameful".Asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme about reports the Prince of Wales had privately criticised sending refugees to Rwanda, she said she would not comment on Prince Charles but, in her own personal view, the policy was "shameful".
It is understood that Sir Tony, Baroness Amos and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall have already been given the insignia of the order in private meetings with the Queen.
Queen becomes second-longest reigning monarchQueen becomes second-longest reigning monarch
Tony Blair to become member of top royal orderTony Blair to become member of top royal order
Queen on balcony for closing act of JubileeQueen on balcony for closing act of Jubilee
Pomp and ceremony of Order of the GarterPomp and ceremony of Order of the Garter
The honour, which is a personal gift of the Queen, comes with the status of a knight and Sir Tony received his knighthood, without any publicity, from the Queen in an audience at Windsor last week. The honour, which is a personal gift of the Queen, comes with the status of a knight and Sir Tony Blair received his knighthood, without any publicity, from the Queen in an audience at Windsor last week.
Sir Tony had been one of the longest-serving prime ministers during the Queen's 70-year reign, including the tumultuous times that followed the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Sir Tony, winner of three general elections, had been one of the longest-serving prime ministers during the Queen's 70-year reign, including the tumultuous times that followed the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
A petition had been launched against Sir Tony receiving a knighthood, with opponents criticising his involvement in the Iraq War. A petition had been launched against Sir Tony receiving a knighthood, with opponents criticising his involvement in the Iraq War. Stop the War campaigners held a protest in Windsor against the honour.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, became a "royal companion" of the orderCamilla, Duchess of Cornwall, became a "royal companion" of the order
The appointments to the Order of the Garter were announced at New Year, but new members are formally installed at an annual ceremony in June, with the day including a public procession of members wearing velvet robes and plumed hats. The appointments to the Order of the Garter were announced at new year, but new members are formally installed at the annual ceremony in June.
It is usually a regular date in the Queen's diary, although the ceremony had been cancelled during the pandemic.It is usually a regular date in the Queen's diary, although the ceremony had been cancelled during the pandemic.
Camilla becomes one of the "royal companions", with her appointment seen as a personal sign of approval by the Queen.Camilla becomes one of the "royal companions", with her appointment seen as a personal sign of approval by the Queen.
Sir Tony and Baroness Amos become "knight and lady companions" of the order, which has up to 24 members. Among the other "knight and lady companions" members are former prime minister Sir John Major and former MI5 director-general Baroness Manningham-Buller. The oldest member is 90-year-old Lord Morris, a former Labour cabinet member.
Other members include former prime minister Sir John Major and former MI5 director-general Baroness Manningham-Buller. The oldest member is 90-year-old Lord Morris, a former Labour cabinet member.
The order, instituted by Edward III, originated from medieval chivalry and senior figures around a monarch.The order, instituted by Edward III, originated from medieval chivalry and senior figures around a monarch.
According to Buckingham Palace, the current purpose is to "honour those who have undertaken public service, who have contributed in a particular way to national life".According to Buckingham Palace, the current purpose is to "honour those who have undertaken public service, who have contributed in a particular way to national life".
In Scotland, the Order of the Thistle was founded in 1687. Two new members were recently appointed, Sir George Reid and Lady Elish Angiolini.In Scotland, the Order of the Thistle was founded in 1687. Two new members were recently appointed, Sir George Reid and Lady Elish Angiolini.