Tony Blair is made a Sir in the New Year Honours list, 14 years after leaving office
Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair is made a Sir in the New Year Honours list, 14 years after leaving office
Sir Tony is appointed a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the oldest and most senior British Order of ChivalryDecision to ennoble the ex-PM has been much debated in recent yearsAll but one of the prime ministers before him were appointed a few years after leaving office – but Sir Tony waited over 14 yearsIt had been suggested the Queen’s strained relationship with him during his ten years in power may have contributed to the ‘snub’
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Sir Tony, who held the keys to Number 10 between 1997 and 2007, is appointed a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry
Tony Blair has been appointed to the Order of the Garter as a Knight Companion.
The decision to ennoble the former prime minister – or Sir Tony, as he will now be known – has been much debated in recent years.
All but one of the prime ministers before him were appointed a few years after leaving office. But Sir Tony waited over 14 years.
It had been suggested that the Queen‘s strained relationship with him during his ten years in power may have contributed to the ‘snub’.
Sir Tony, who held the keys to Number 10 between 1997 and 2007, is appointed a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry.
The appointment, which is made by the Queen, has regularly been bestowed upon past prime ministers, with Sir John Major, Sir Tony’s predecessor, the last to receive the honour.
Sir Tony, a former Labour leader, said: ‘It is an immense honour to be appointed Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and I am deeply grateful to Her Majesty the Queen.
‘It was a great privilege to serve as prime minister and I would like to thank all those who served alongside me, in politics, public service and all parts of our society, for their dedication and commitment to our country.’
Sir Tony led New Labour to a landslide victory in 1997, winning two subsequent general elections before quitting Westminster a decade later, paving the way for his chancellor Gordon Brown to take over as prime minister.
The decision to ennoble the former prime minister – or Sir Tony, as he will now be known – has been much debated in recent years. All but one of the prime ministers before him were appointed a few years after leaving office. But Sir Tony waited over 14 years. It had been suggested that the Queen’s strained relationship with him during his ten years in power may have contributed to the ‘snub’. (He is pictured with the Queen in 2005)
Tony and Cherie Blair embrace in front of No 10 Downing Street after the Labour Leader was elected Prime Minister in 1997. Sir Tony led New Labour to a landslide victory that year, winning two subsequent general elections before quitting Westminster a decade later, paving the way for his chancellor Gordon Brown to take over as prime minister
The 68-year-old famously branded Diana, Princess of Wales, the ‘people’s princess’ after her death and was the UK leader during Allied military invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan.
The former barrister became a Middle East envoy and set up his own non-for-profit group, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, after leaving politics.
Each year, Royal Knights and Ladies of the Order of the Garter gather at St George’s Chapel in Windsor for a colourful procession and ceremony.
Watched by crowds of onlookers, they walk down the hill to the chapel from the State Apartments, dressed in blue velvet mantles, red velvet hoods, black velvet hats and white ostrich plumes.
Sir Tony, who left Downing Street more than 14 years ago, is one of three new appointments announced by the palace.
Tony Blair with George W. Bush in 2006. Blair, 68, famously branded Diana, Princess of Wales, the ‘people’s princess’ after her death and was the UK leader during Allied military invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan
Appointments to the Garter are in the Queen’s gift and made without prime ministerial advice, and are usually announced on St George’s Day, April 23, but the monarch can do so at any time, and has chosen to coincide with the New Year’s Honours.
They are for life unless a Knight or Lady Companion offends against certain ‘points of reproach’.
Founded in 1348 by Edward III, the Garter is awarded by the sovereign for outstanding public service and achievement.
It is said to have been inspired by events at a ball in northern France, attended by the king and Joan, Countess of Salisbury.
The countess is believed to have dropped her garter, causing laughter and some embarrassment.
The chivalrous king, however, picked it up and wore it on his own leg, uttering the phrase ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’ – ‘Shame on him who thinks this evil’ – now the Order’s motto.
The Order’s emblem is a blue ribbon or garter worn by men below the left knee and by women on the left arm.
There are now 21 non-royal companions in the order out of a maximum of 24.
