His Majesty the King has marked St George's Day 2026 by appointing three distinguished members of the House of Lords to the ancient and prestigious Order of the Garter.
England's senior order of chivalry has been bestowed upon historian and former journalist the Baron Hennessy of Nympsfield (born 28 March, 1947). Lord Hennessy is a historian and academic specialising in the history of government. Since 1992, he has been Attlee Professor of Contemporary British History at Queen Mary University of London.
The accolade has also been awarded to the former cabinet secretary the Baron O'Donnell, GCB (born 1 October, 1952), the former senior civil servant and economist, who between 2005 and 2011 (under three Prime Ministers) served as the Cabinet Secretary, the highest official in the British Civil Service.
The third appointment is filled by the former chief justice the Baron Burnett of Maldon, PC (born 28 February, 1958), Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales from 2017 to 2023.
These St George's Day honours bring the number of non royal Knights of the Garter to twenty three. There remains one vacancy in the order of chivalry founded by King Edward III in 1348, reportedly inspired by the tales of King Arthur. The order’s Knights and Lady companions are chosen personally by the sovereign.
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