Gifts of Grandeur: Queen Elizabeth’s Star of the Order of the Garter

Star of the Order of the Garter
English, 1923
Diamonds, Enamel
The Royal Collection

Traditionally, when a member of the Royal family of Britain marries, a new title or honor is bestowed on either one or both of the betrothed. We saw this most recently when Prince William of Wales and Katherine Middleton were created the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge respectively on the day of their wedding.


When the future King George VI married Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (later known as “The Queen Mother”) in 1923, he was given this star upon his investiture with the Order of the Garter. George VI presented his daughter, Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II), with this star upon her investiture with the Order of the Garter prior to her 1947 wedding.

HM Queen Elizabeth II
Cecil Beaton, 1968
The Royal Collection

A masterpiece of diamonds and enamel, the Queen often wears this garter star—as seen in this photograph by Cecil Beaton from 1968.