Andrew Lloyd Webber made a Knight of the Garter by King Charles III

Andrew Lloyd Webber has been made a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter by King Charles III.

The legendary musicals composer released a statement saying that it was “the greatest honour of my life.”

Andrew Lloyd Webber has written some of musical theatre’s most successful shows, including The Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard, Cats and Evita.

He said that he is “humbled, grateful and, quite frankly, staggered” by the news.

It is understood that Lloyd Webber is the first person from the world of the arts and culture to be made a member of the Order of the Garter, which is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain.

The Garter honour is usually bestowed on people who have held high public office such as former prime ministers, have served the sovereign personally, or are members of the royal family or foreign royals.

The order of the Garter, which is limited to 24 ordinary members, was founded in 1348 by Edward III. The appointment is bestowed as a personal gift from the King, and unlike other awards does not need advice from government ministers.

The patron saint of the order is St George, which is why it is traditional for the Garter Knights to be announced today, 23 April, on St George’s Day.

Lord Lloyd Webber has a close friendship with King Charles, and composed the anthem Make a Joyful Noise for King Charles’s coronation last year in London.

He was knighted in 1992 and created an honorary life peer in 1997.

Lloyd Webber said in a statement: “I am humbled, grateful and, quite frankly, staggered to have been made a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter by His Majesty King Charles III. This is the greatest honour of my life.”

Other new appointees to the Garter are Lord Kakkar, who is emeritus professor of surgery at University College London; Air Chief Marshal the Lord Peach; and the Duchess of Gloucester, who as a Royal Lady Companion is a long-serving member of the working monarchy, married to the late Queen’s cousin the Duke of Gloucester.

Other honours announced today include the Princess of Wales, who has been made the Royal Companion of The Order of the Companions of Honour, which is a new appointment to the Order.

The Companions of Honour was founded by King George V in 1917 to recognise outstanding achievements in the Arts, Sciences, Medicine and Public Service.

Catherine is patron of the National Portrait Gallery, the V&A Museum and the Royal Photographic Society, and current members of the Order include Sir David Attenborough, Dame Judi Dench and and Sir Elton John.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals continue to be performed around the world, with The Phantom of the Opera the second longest-running musical in West End history.

His show Starlight Express is about to get a major new production at Troubadour Wembley Park, directed by Luke Sheppard.

Also his musicals The Wizard of Oz, Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and His Amazing technicolor Dreamcoat are all touring or about to tour the UK.

On Broadway, later this year Jamie Lloyd’s production of Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard is transferring from a wildly successful run in London to New York, once again starring Nicole Scherzinger. The show recently won 7 awards at the 2024 Olivier Awards.

The Phantom of the Opera

His Majesty's Theatre, London

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