The glittering rewards of chivalry – rarely seen diamond-encrusted royal regalia of the Order of the Garter on public display

THEY are priceless regalia, worn by Knights Companion and Ladies Companion of Britain’s highest Order of Chivalry, the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

They were returned to the Sovereign after the knight’s death and are rarely displayed in public, except during the annual Garter Day procession at Windsor Castle.

But two rare Stars of the Order of the Garter – worn on the left breast – and a unique Garter Belt will go on display at the Tate Gallery in London this week.

The coronation of King Edward VII on June 26, 1902 – with Garter regalia in full view

Regalia from the Orders of the Garter, the Bath and Saint Patrick and the Thistle shown in rows from the top

Two of the badges – the Star and Garter band – were given by King George III to the 2nd Marquess of Londonderry, Robert, Viscount Castlereagh, in 1814, after he fought in the Peninsular War under the Duke of Wellington.

The blue silk and diamond garter belt was worn (around the leg) by the 6th Marquess of Londonderry at the 1902 coronation of Edward VII at Westminster Abbey.

It was later borrowed by his great-nephew Sir Winston Churchill for his own investiture into the Order of the Garter in 1953.

The other star, made of gold and silver, with diamonds, rubies and enamel, was presented by Queen Victoria to the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry on Wellington’s death in 1853.

Peter Lauritzen, who is married to The Hon Rose Keppel, great-granddaughter of the 6th Marquess, and lives at the ancestral home of Mt Stewart, said: ‘I don’t know how rare the Garter Stars diamonds are.

“But I suspect the Garter Belt is very rare, if not unique. Stars and Garter Belts of the Order of the Garter are to be returned to the Sovereign upon the death of the Knight, unless the King exceptionally permits the insignia to be made in diamonds.

‘The Prince Regent – later King George IV – was Castlereagh’s close personal friend and is said to have made him the offer to have the star made in diamonds.’

The exhibition, which opens on February 22, also features the Beetle Wing Dress, which actress Ellen Terry wore during her performance as Lady Macbeth at the Lyceum Theater in London.

Winston Churchill depicted in his robes as Knight of the Garter.

The Beetle Wing dress worn by actress Ellen Terry for her performance as Lady Macbeth at the Lyceum Theater in 1899

Artist John Singer Sargent attended the opening night on December 29, 1888, and was inspired to paint her portrait the following year.

The dress, made of velvet, silk damask, cotton, metal and glass, was designed by costumer Alice Comyns-Carr, made by seamstress Ada Nettleship, and is located in her former home Smallhythe Place, now owned by the National Trust.

Sargent and Fashion is on view at Tate Britain until 7 July