23 April 2003

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE PRESS SECRETARY TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

The Queen has been graciously pleased to appoint Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, The Hon. Lady Ogilvy, GCVO to be a Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

The Queen has also been graciously pleased to appoint The Duke of Westminster, OBE, TD, DL, the Right Honourable Lord Butler of Brockwell, GCB, CVO and the Right Honourable Lord Morris of Aberavon, QC, to be Knights Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

Notes for Editors:
As a member of the Royal Family, Princess Alexandra's appointment is additional to the established number of 24 Companions.

The Duke of Edinburgh was created a Knight in 1947, The Prince of Wales in 1958, The Duke of Kent in 1985, The Princess Royal in 1994, and The Duke of Gloucester in 1997.

The appointment of 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.

Current Knights Companions of The Most Noble Order of the Garter

The Duke of Abercorn, 23rd April 1999
Sir Antony Acland, 23rd April 2001
The Lord Ashburton, 23rd April 1994
Field Marshal The Lord Bramall, 23rd April 1990
The Lord Callaghan of Cardiff, 23rd April 1987
The Lord Carrington, 23rd April 1985
Sir Timothy Colman, 23rd April 1996
The Duke of Devonshire, 23rd April 1996
Sir William Gladstone, 23rd April 1999
The Duke of Grafton, 23rd April 1976
Sir Edward Heath, 23rd April 1992
Sir Edmund Hillary, 22nd April 1995
Field Marshal The Lord Inge, 23rd April 2001
The Lord Kingsdown, 23rd April 1994
The Lord Richardson of Duntisbourne, 22nd April 1983
The Viscount Ridley, 23rd April 1992
The Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover, 23rd April 1992
The Rt Hon Sir Ninian Stephen, 23rd April 1994
The Lady Thatcher, 22nd April 1995
The Duke of Wellington, 23rd April 1990