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Order of the Garter
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<p>The Most Noble Order of the Garter is an <a href="/facts/Order_of_chivalry/BUPmG55v">order of chivalry</a> founded by <a href="/facts/Edward_III_of_England/t0kwe6JY">Edward III of England</a> in 1348. The most senior <a href="/facts/Order_of_knighthood/BUPmG55v">order of knighthood</a> in the <a href="/facts/Orders%2c_decorations%2c_and_medals_of_the_United_Kingdom/R6tVhMq2">British honours system</a>, it is outranked in <a href="/facts/United_Kingdom_order_of_precedence/jz8L2oIC">precedence</a> only by the <a href="/facts/Award/rII9lQH2">decorations</a> of the <a href="/facts/Victoria_Cross/abfXKEQl">Victoria Cross</a> and the <a href="/facts/George_Cross/5XehW9yo">George Cross</a>. The Order of the Garter is dedicated to the <a href="/facts/Image/hbjEdTXK">image</a> and <a href="/facts/Coat_of_arms/PcwQ5lH8">arms</a> of <a href="/facts/Saint_George/V83j5eTj">Saint George</a>, England's <a href="/facts/Patron_saint/Gw1cv1vH">patron saint</a>. </p><p>Appointments are at the <a href="/facts/Monarchy_of_the_United_Kingdom/hLC5tHrf">Sovereign</a>'s sole discretion, typically made in recognition of national contribution, service to the Crown, or for distinguished personal service to the Monarch. Membership of the order is limited to the sovereign, the <a href="/facts/Prince_of_Wales/oJxhUVX7">Prince of Wales</a>, and no more than 24 living members, or Companions. The order also includes <a href="/facts/Supernumerary/hFaAKuvx">Supernumerary</a> Knights and Ladies (e.g., members of the <a href="/facts/British_royal_family/mx49mfWs">British royal family</a> and foreign monarchs). </p><p>The order's emblem is a <a href="/facts/Garter_(stockings)/L7AAXaAS">garter</a> <a href="/facts/Circlet/qcszmQ3C">circlet</a> with the <a href="/facts/Motto/zPMmWKAW">motto</a> <i><a href="/facts/Honi_soit_qui_mal_y_pense/yl4Styyh">Honi soit qui mal y pense</a></i> (<a href="/facts/Anglo-Norman_language/GmwkRAzQ">Anglo-Norman</a> for 'Shame on him who thinks evil of it') in gold script. Members of the order wear it on ceremonial occasions. </p>