Lloyd Webber tells of ‘greatest honour’ of life as King makes him a Garter Knight

The composer said he was ‘humbled, grateful and, quite frankly, staggered’ to be made a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter.

Composer Lord Lloyd-Webber has described being made a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter by the King as “the greatest honour of my life”.

The theatre impresario, whose hit musicals include The Phantom Of The Opera, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, said he was “humbled, grateful and, quite frankly, staggered”.

He is said to be the first person from the world of the arts and culture to be made a member of the Order of the Garter – the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain.

The appointment is the King’s personal gift, without advice from government ministers.

Lord Lloyd-Webber composed the anthem Make a Joyful Noise for the King’s coronation last year.

A photograph was released to mark Tuesday’s announcement and showed the musician and the King, taken by Charles’ private secretary Sir Clive Alderton last year at Dumfries House in Scotland while Lord Lloyd-Webber was working on the music for the coronation.

The order was founded in 1348 by Edward III.

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.