Baroness Amos is first black person appointed by Queen to prestigious order

Baroness Valerie Amos has been appointed to the Order of the Garter. Credit: PA

Baroness Valerie Amos has become the first black person to be appointed the Order of the Garter, Buckingham Palace has announced.

The 67-year-old, a Labour member of the House of Lords, was also the first black person to become a cabinet member and has been appointed Lady Companion of the Order, the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry.

Baroness Amos was previously made a Companion of Honour in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2016.

The appointment, which can only be made by the Queen, is one of three being made at the end of the year.

The others being former prime minister Tony Blair, who made Baroness Amos a life peer in 1997, and becomes a Knight Companion of the order and the Duchess of Cornwall, whose elevation to the nation’s most prestigious order of chivalry is in recognition of her contribution to the monarchy.

Camilla has become a Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. Credit: PA

Guyana-born Valerie Amos moved to Great Britain with her family in 1963 and built a career working for equal opportunities.

As a member of the House of Lords, she served as the government spokeswoman for social security, international development, women’s issues, and foreign and Commonwealth affairs.

Between 1989 and 1994 she was chief executive of the Equal Opportunities Commission.

She was a co-founder and director of Amos Fraser Bernard, advising the South African government on public service reform, human rights and employment equity.

Baroness Amos became Leader of the House of Lords and Lord President of the Council in late 2003.

Baroness Amos, President of Tanzania Benjamin Mkapa and Tony Blair in 2003. Credit: PA

She held the positions of parliamentary under-Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from June 2001, with responsibility for Africa, the Commonwealth, the Caribbean, Britain’s Overseas Territories, Consular Affairs and Personnel Issues.

Her role as International Development Secretary came after Clare Short quit the post in protest at the war in Iraq in 2003.

Baroness Amos also served as a Government Whip in the House of Lords between 1998 and 2001 and spokesperson on Social Security, International Development and Women’s Issues.

Baroness Amos after receiving her Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in 2016. Credit: PA

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.

Royal Knights and Ladies in the Order include the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex.

How are you appointed to the Order of the Garter?

Appointments to the Garter are in the Queen’s gift and made without prime ministerial advice.

They are for life unless a Knight or Lady Companion offends against certain “points of reproach”.

Prince Charles and the Duke of Cambridge at the annual Order of the Garter Service at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. Credit: PA

Founded in 1348 by Edward III, the Garter is awarded by the sovereign for outstanding public service and achievement and are said to have been inspired by events at a ball in northern France.

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.