Garter of diamonds on dark blue velvet, backed with black velvet. Diamonds form words of the garter motto, stops between words, scalloped edge, buckle, six-petalled flowers and ornamental scroll on tab.

From earliest times the insignia of the Order of the Garter have included a garter. The origins of this tradition are obscure. The garter may be a reference to the military strap or band worn by soldiers in armour in the Middle Ages. Such an object would have been familiar to Edward III's knights on their victorious French campaign that culminated in the Battle of Crécy in 1346, two years before the foundation of the Order.

Prince Albert was invested with the Order at Gotha on 23 January 1840. Queen Victoria presented him with a spectacular set of Garter insignia on 8 February, two days before their wedding. At a meeting that day with the Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne, 'Lord M. admired the diamond Garter which Albert had on, and said "Very handsome." I told him it was my gift; I also gave him (all before dinner) a diamond star, I had worn, and badge'. The Prince wore the Garter with its motto, edges and buckle lavishly mounted with diamonds along with his Garter collar and star on his wedding day. Parts of the set appear in portraits throughout the rest of his life, by Hayter, Winterhalter, Lucas, Partridge and Fenton.

Text adapted from Victoria & Albert: Art & Love, London, 2010