THE PRINCE OF WALES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1151, 12 June 1911, Page 5

THE PRINCE OF WALES.

INVESTITURE AS KNIdHT OF THE GARTER. By Teleeraph—Press Association-Oopyrlttht (Kcc. Juno 12, 0.25 a.m.) London, June 11. The ceremony of investing the Prince of Wales with tho Order of tho Garter look place at Windsor Castlo yesterday. Tho knights and officers o£ tho Order assembled in the Waterloo Chamber, and from thenco vrero summoned lo the Throne-room, whero tlio King and Quocn, tx-Kiug Mawiel of Portugal, the Duko or Connaught, Prince Arthur of Connaught, and Prince Christian -were seated at tho head of a table. Tho sceno was one ot great beauty and interest. Tho Duko of Connaught ■ and Prince Arthur led in tho Prince of Wales, and the King proceeded to bucklo on tho Garter. Tho Prelate of the Order, the Bishop of Winchester (Dr. Talbot), pronounced tho customary admonition, and tho King! having invested tho Prince with the insignia of the Order, gave him the accolade. Tho other Knights of tho Garter present then congratulated the Prince, who bore himself through the trying ordeal with dignity. A procession to St. GWgo's Chapel followed. The Duke of Argyll and Lord Eshor led tho Military Knights of Windsor, and were followed by 23 Knight , Companions, tho Heralds, aud the Officers of the Itoyal Household, who moved in stately fashion between a double line of Lifeguards and Coldstream Guards. Windsor Castlo was crowded with spectators to witness the pageant, tho liko of which had not been seen since tlie time of Charles 11. The Royal Knights accompanied tho Prince, and four train-bearers, clad in scarlet, hold tho robes of the King aud Queen, who walked hand in hand, Queen Mary wearing tho insignia presented by the Mnrys of the Empire. The Order of the Garter itself mnv bo said to rank indisputably as tho first in tno world, aud tho number of foreign sovereigns who have accepted it is almost counties?. It is still limited to twenty-nvo Knight Companions, with tho Sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and other members of tho Royal Family (Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary aro both Ladies of tho Garter), anil such extra Knights and foreign rulers and dignitnr '«s as may bo admitted by epecial statute; tho only alteration lies been the extension of tho limits to descendants of the first instead of tho second George. A Knight of the Garter is at his investiture allotted a stall in St. George's Chapel at Windsor, over which are sot up, (o 1« retained throughout his life, his sword helmet, crest, banner, and a plate containing his arms and titles: this practice is still in vogue.