London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

0:00
0:00

BOOOOOOS: Tony Blair receives royal honour

If it seems to us that she is already too old to remain a queen, here is evidence that her judgment is totally out of order.

Giving a badge of honor to a despicable person who should receive only condemnation, unjustly despising all the other honorable people who carry the same badges of honor. 

Was this honor given to him for the war crimes for which he was responsible in Iraq, or for deceiving the British people and convincing them through lies that there was justification for the war in Iraq, or for being responsible for the deaths of so many British soldiers killed there in vain? Or maybe for the fact that he managed to get so rich from the war with Iraq that he had enough money to acquire for himself that dubious honor?

But the Duke of York has not appeared in public at the ceremony in Windsor, only attending a private part of the event, after a "family decision".

Baroness Amos becomes the first black "knight or lady companion" member of the order since its foundation in 1348.

New members of the order are the personal choice of the Queen.

The 96-year-old monarch attended some of the private elements of "Garter Day" at Windsor and had posed for a photograph before the event.


The Queen attended private parts of the ceremony and posed for an official photograph


Each year, members of the order - which has up to 24 people plus "royal companions" - gather at Windsor Castle for a colourful ceremony with music, pageantry, elaborate uniforms and a parade.

Members wear velvet robes, plumed hats and the insignia of the medieval order of chivalry.

As well as the three new members being installed, there had been speculation about whether Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, would take part, in his capacity as one of the royal members of the order.

He did attend, but kept out of the procession seen by the crowds and and only went to the investiture and a private lunch.

Baroness Amos, a former Labour cabinet minister and UN under-secretary, said the honour of joining the order was "absolutely amazing" and she was thinking about her parents who "worked so hard and were so supportive".

Baroness Amos becomes the first black "knight or lady companion" member of the order


Asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme about reports the Prince of Wales had privately criticised sending refugees to Rwanda, she said she would not comment on Prince Charles but, in her own personal view, the policy was "shameful".

The honour, which is a personal gift of the Queen, comes with the status of a knight and Sir Tony Blair received his knighthood, without any publicity, from the Queen in an audience at Windsor last week.

Sir Tony, winner of three general elections, had been one of the longest-serving prime ministers during the Queen's 70-year reign, including the tumultuous times that followed the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

A petition had been launched against Sir Tony receiving a knighthood, with opponents criticising his involvement in the Iraq War. Stop the War campaigners held a protest in Windsor against the honour.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, became a "royal companion" of the order


The appointments to the Order of the Garter were announced at new year, but new members are formally installed at the annual ceremony in June.

It is usually a regular date in the Queen's diary, although the ceremony had been cancelled during the pandemic.

Camilla becomes one of the "royal companions", with her appointment seen as a personal sign of approval by the Queen.

Among the other "knight and lady companions" members are former prime minister Sir John Major and former MI5 director-general Baroness Manningham-Buller. The oldest member is 90-year-old Lord Morris, a former Labour cabinet member.

There was music and pageantry for a ceremony previously stopped by the pandemic


The order, instituted by Edward III, originated from medieval chivalry and senior figures around a monarch.

According to Buckingham Palace, the current purpose is to "honour those who have undertaken public service, who have contributed in a particular way to national life".

In Scotland, the Order of the Thistle was founded in 1687. Two new members were recently appointed, Sir George Reid and Lady Elish Angiolini.


Watch: Sir Tony Blair becomes a member of the Order of the Garter


Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×