THE SOVEREIGN’S HABIT.]

ORDER OF THE BATH.

199

THE SOVEREIGN’S HABIT.

The Habit provided for Her Majesty, the present Sovereign, is a Mantleand Surcoat (or Kirtle) of rich crimson Satin, lined with white ducape Silk,worn over a petticoat of very rich silver tissue, or white and silver, or white andgold. The Star on the Mantle, which is silver, chipped and enamelled, is that ofa Military Knight Grand Cross. On Her head Her Majesty usually wears adiamond Tiara.

S

appointments or elections, investitures,anti installations.

APPOINTMENTS or ELECTIONS.

Though the form of making Appointments to the Order by Electionof the Knights Companions assembled in Chapter, as in the Garter, is intendedby the Statutes , 1 it has never been observed; and Vacancies have always beensupplied by the mere nomination of the Sovereign, followed by Investitureand Installation, or by a Royal Warrant Dispensing with the observanceof those Ceremonies. Chapters have, however, occasionally been held, generallyfor the purpose of making arrangements previous to Installations; and thePrince’s Chamber in the Palace of Westminster, is the Chapter Room of theOrder . 2 The Statutes declare that the performance of the ancient Ceremonialsof Vigils and Bathing , 3 and the reception of the Honour of Knighthood, are

1 Art. II. and VII. pp. 47, 49, antea, and passim. 2 Art. VII. and XVI. pp. 50,59, antea.

3 See the description of these Ceremonials in Art. VII. of the Statutes, pp. 49—53, antea.