Former spymaster makes history as King Charles appoints her as the first ever female Chancellor of the Order of the Garter
A former spy master has been appointed by the king as the first female chancellor of the Order of the Garter in history.
Baroness Manningham-Buller – who was appointed Director General of MI5 in 2002, only the second woman to take on the role, she also broke barriers after being appointed leader of the country’s highest and oldest knighthood.
Founded by King Edward III in the 14th century, members of the order are personally appointed by the monarch, without government intervention, for their services to the Crown.
Lady Manningham-Buller is the first female Chancellor, one of the highest titles in the Order, since the office was created in 1475.
It was owned by the Bishops of Salisbury and Oxford for almost half a century.
Baroness Manningham-Buller (pictured) has been appointed by the King as the first female Chancellor of the Order of the Garter in history
Thames House – MI5 headquarters. Baroness Manningham-Buller was appointed Director General of MI5 in 2002, only the second woman to take on the role (stock image)
The announcement comes ahead of Garter Day on Monday, when the order will be commemorated at an annual service at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle and attended by the King, Queen and other members of the Royal Family.
Lady Manningham-Buller sits as a crossbench peer in the House of Lords and was appointed Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth II in 2014, after retiring from MI5 seven years earlier.
The king also appointed Lord Ashton of Hyde ‘Master of the Horse’, another position that dates back centuries.
The master was previously responsible for the monarch’s horses, carriages and travel arrangements, but is now largely ceremonial and means he will be present on state occasions.
