The Order of the Garter, England‘s oldest and most senior order of chivalry, will induct Tony Blair, the Duchess of Cornwall, and Baroness Amos.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair is now referred to as Sir Tony.

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The appointments are made at the Queen‘s discretion, with up to 24 “knight and lady companions.”

Former Labour cabinet minister Baroness Amos becomes the order’s first black member.

The ceremonial order, instituted in 1348, is a personal gift from the monarch in honour of exceptional public service.

Blair takes the title of Sir Tony on January 1st, when he enters the order as a “knight companion.”

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“It’s an immense honour,” he said. Instead of Sir Anthony, he claims he’ll be “Sir Tony.”

He said it had been a “great privilege” to have served as prime minister, adding: “I would like to thank all those who served alongside me, in politics, public service and all parts of our society, for their dedication and commitment to our country.”

There have been various fictitious on-screen renderings of the connection between the head of state and her former prime minister, but this may be interpreted as a personal gesture by the Queen.

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Baroness Amos is made a “lady companion” in recognition of her work as the UN’s under-secretary for humanitarian affairs and international development secretary. Master of University College, Oxford, is her present position.

With the majority of the order’s members in their seventies, eighties, and beyond, Baroness Amos, 67, and Tony Blair, 68, became two of the order’s youngest members in a post held until death.

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Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, is named a “royal companion,” a step that is likely to be interpreted as the Queen endorsing Camilla’s status as a senior member of the royal family and future monarch’s spouse.

With her own projects, such as warning against domestic abuse, the duchess has gained a higher profile.

There will now be 21 companions out of a maximum of 24 with the latest appointments.

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Sir John Major, a former prime minister, is among the present members of the Order of the Garter, which also includes Lord Sainsbury, a businessman and philanthropist, and Baroness Manningham-Buller, a former MI5 chief.

Appointments are generally made in April, but this year they have been moved up.

The order was founded in the 14th century by Edward III and was based on mediaeval chivalry and rulers being surrounded by their most senior aristocratic associates.

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According to Buckingham Palace, the modern criteria are to “honour those who have undertaken public service, who have contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the sovereign personally”.

The Queen, dressed in velvet robes and plumed caps, leads a procession of members of the order around Windsor Castle every year.

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At the castle’s St George’s Chapel, a flag bearing the knights’ heraldic arms is on display.

The Order of the Thistle was established in 1687 in Scotland, and the most recent appointment was made in 2018.