Friday 9 May 2014

Bath Service

INSTALLATION OF KNIGHTS GRAND CROSS OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH

THE QUEEN, Sovereign of the Order, and The Prince of Wales, Great Master of the Order, are attending the quadrennial Installation of Knights Grand Cross (GCB) of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, in the Lady Chapel of HENRY VII at Westminster Abbey.

Although the Order as we know it today was created by Letters Patent under the Great Seal on the 18th May, 1725, the origins of the ceremony which takes place in the Lady Chapel – the Chapel of the Order of the Bath - can be traced back to the 14th century.

GCB ~ Military Division

Today it can take years between the award of a GCB and a Knight’s formal installation in the Chapel.

The service is being conducted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Rev John Hall DD.

Twelve Knights are being installed in seats vacated by members who have died since the last service, four years ago.

GCB ~ Civil Division

Those being installed include Field Marshal The Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank, Field Marshal The Lord Inge, and Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon.

The Order is generally reserved for senior members of the armed forces and civil service.

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