The
modern garter is of blue velvet, bordered with gold wire, and
embroidered with the motto, "Honi soit qui mal y pense." It is worn on
the left leg, a little below the knee. The most magnificent garter that
ever graced a sovereign was that presented to Charles the First by
Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, each letter in the motto of which
was composed of diamonds. The collar is formed of pieces of gold
fashioned like garters, with a blue enamelled ground. The letters of the
motto are in gold, with a rose enamelled red in the centre of each
garter. From the collar hangs the George, an ornament enriched with
precious stones, and displaying the figure of the saint encountering the
dragon.
The officers of the Order are the prelate, represented by the Bishop of
Winchester; the Chancellor, by the Bishop of Oxford; the registrar, dean,
garter king-at-arms, and the usher of the black rod. Among the foreign
potentates who have been invested with the Order are eight emperors
of Germany, two of Russia, five kings of France, three of Spain, one of
Arragon, seven of Portugal, one of Poland, two of Sweden, six of
Denmark, two of Naples, one of Sicily and Jerusalem, one of Bohemia,
two of Scotland, seven princes of Orange, and many of the most
illustrious personages of different ages in Europe.
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