The Order consists of 26 members, and meets at St George’s chapel, Windsor. The most plausible of these is that the blue garter is representative of Edward’s claim to the French throne and the motto, perhaps best translated as ‘shame on him who thinks ill of it’, also refers to this claim. There are varying theories as to why the blue garter and its motto, ‘ hon y soi qui mal y pense’ was chosen and why the Order was created. The Garter can be proven to be significantly older than its Scottish counterpart, founded by Edward III of England in 1348, two years after the great victory over the French at the battle of Crecy. It is very rare for members to leave the Order for any other reason, with the last occurrence being in 1872. Traditionally, one would give up the Thistle is named to the Garter, though Royal members can be involved in both. Each year, the Sovereign resides at the Palace of Holyrood house for a week in June or July during the visit, a service for the Order is held. Extra members are permitted, and these are most usually foreign heads of state and members of the Royal Family. Since 1911, meetings have been held annually in the chapel at St Giles High Kirk in Edinburgh. The 3 rd, 6 th and 8 th Dukes of Roxburghe have been members of the Order over the years. Here he is seen in the robes of the Order of the Thistle, with its rich green mantle and star on the left shoulder. James, 6 th Duke of Roxburghe (left) was invested as a Knight of the Order of the Thistle in 1840, and remained a member until his death in 1879. In 1827, the number of members was increased to 16. Initially, the membership of the Order was limited to the Sovereign and twelve knights, to reflect Jesus and the twelve apostles. Its motto, Nemo me impune lacessit, or ‘No-one provokes me with Impunity’, is shared by the Royal Regiment of Scotland, Scots Guards and Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Though there are tales of it stretching back into the fourteenth century, and Robert Bruce’s victory at Bannockburn, its statutes can only be securely dated to 1687 when the Thistle was created/revived by King James VII of Scotland (James II of England and Ireland). The Order of the Thistle cannot readily be proven to be as old as its English counterpart. This year’s installation is especially significant, as it occurs under the reign of the new king, Charles III, who will decide to whom to allocate the position. There is at present one vacant position within the ranks of the Order to be filled. With St Andrew’s Day, the feast day of Scotland’s Patron Saint, approaching at the end of the month, Scotland’s Order of the Thistle prepares for its annual installation of new members. A number of the Dukes of Roxburghe have been members of either England’s Order of the Garter or Scotland’s Order of the Thistle.
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