Order of the Garter the Prime Minister Clement Attlee and the Leader of the Opposition Winston Churchill, membership of the United Kingdom's highest ranking orders of chivalry (the Order of the Garter, the Order of the Thistle and the dormant Order of St. Patrick) became a personal gift of the Sovereign once again. Thus, the Sovereign personally selects Knights and Ladies Companion of the Garter, and need not act on or solicit the advice of His or Her Government. In addition, the Order includes supernumerary members, who do not count towards the limit of 24 companions. Several supernumerary members, known as "Royal Knights and
Order of St Michael and St George with the Golden Gun", but he rejected that offer as he did not wish to become a public figure. Dame Judi Dench's character "M" is "offered" early retirement and a GCMG in "Skyfall" after a series of unfortunate events resulting in the loss of a list that named every NATO espionage operative. Long-time "Doctor Who" companion Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart wore the ribbon of the order as the highest of his decorations in the series' classic era. Order of St Michael and St George The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on