Former spymaster makes history as King Charles appoints her as the first ever female Chancellor of the Order of the Garter
A former spymaster has been made the first female Chancellor of the Order of the Garter in history by the King.
Baroness Manningham-Buller – who was appointed director general of MI5 in 2002, only the second woman to take on the role – has also broken down barriers after being appointed as an executive of the country’s most senior and oldest order of chivalry.
Founded by King Edward III in the 14th Century, members of the order are personally appointed by the monarch without the interference of Government for their service to the Crown.
Lady Manningham-Buller is the first female chancellor, one of the highest-ranking titles in the Order, since the office’s inception in 1475.
It was held by the Bishops of Salisbury and Oxford for nearly half a century.
Baroness Manningham-Buller (pictured) has been made the first female Chancellor of the Order of the Garter in history by the King
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 during an annual service held 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 a Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth II in 2014, after she retired from MI5 seven years earlier.
The King has also appointed Lord Ashton of Hyde as the ‘Master of the Horse’, another position that dates back centuries.
The master was previously responsible for the sovereigns horses, carriages and travel arrangements, but is now largely ceremonial and means he will be present at state occasions.
