Short answers, pulled from the story.
King Edward III founded the Order of the Garter in 1348, yet the distinctive blue garter habits were not issued until the autumn of 1348. While tradition often cites the year 1344 as the founding date, financial records from the King's wardrobe confirm that the order was formalized later than its initial conception.
Queen Philippa was the first lady to be appointed in 1358, marking the beginning of a tradition that would continue for centuries. King Henry VII discontinued the practice in 1488, and his mother, Margaret Beaufort, was the last Lady of the Garter before Queen Alexandra.
The motto hony soyt qui mal pence translates to shame be to him who thinks evil of it. This phrase served as a shield against the political intrigue and suspicion that plagued the court of the 14th century and was likely chosen to bind the members together in a secret society of knights.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, Duke of York, was struck off the roll and his banner was removed from the chapel in 2025. His appointment was annulled on the 30th of October 2025 amidst ongoing controversy surrounding his association with Jeffrey Epstein.
The Order has six officers: the Prelate, the Chancellor, the Register, the Garter Principal King of Arms, the Usher, and the Secretary. William of Edington, Bishop of Winchester, was the first Prelate of the Order, and that office has since been held by his successors at Winchester.
In 1987, by a statute of Queen Elizabeth II, the installation of Ladies Companion of the Garter became possible. In 2022, Valerie Amos, Baroness Amos, became the first Black Lady Companion of the Order since its foundation.