April 4, 2013

The Most Noble Order of the GarterCommemorating Churchill’s Highest Honour

If US Citizenship was Churchill’s highest honor, then the Order of the Garter was Churchill’s highest honour. Churchill was admitted to the world’s oldest order of chivalry on St. George’s Day, 23 April 1953 thus making him Sir Winston. In commemoration of the sixtieth anniversary of this event, Sir Winston’s grandson Nicholas Soames will be speaking to a luncheon gathering at the Carlton Club in London on 23 April 2013. Soames is the son of Sir Winston’s daughter Mary who is now herself a Lady of the Garter and Patron of the Churchill Centre.

While Churchill is one of only seven people to be made an honorary citizen of the United States, membership in the Order of the Garter is restricted to 24 at a time not including Extra Royal Companions.  During his life Churchill was also admitted to the exclusive Order of Merit (OM) and the Companion of Honour (CH).  The OM is limited to 24 members at a time not including honorary recipients.  The CH is limited to 65 members at a time divided among the senior Commonwealth Realms.