The Prince of Wales has been made the Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. The appointment was confirmed by Buckingham Palace in a statement on 23 April with several new honours for members of the Royal Family.

The Royal Order of the Bath is a military order dates back to the eighteenth century; King George I created the order on 18 May 1725. The name references the ritual bath that members would take prior to being knighted.

Previously the Knights of the Bath were created in 1399 and again in 1661; this was most likely George’s inspiration for the Order of the Bath. The Order uses the original Knights’ motto, Tria juncta in uno (three joined in one), as well as a similar badge.

While the Sovereign remains the Sovereign of the Order of the Bath, the Great Master is the next-most senior member. The King served as Great Master from 1974 to 2022 while Prince of Wales; he has now appointed Prince William to the position.

The Royal Order of the Bath first admitted women in 1971; the first female royal admitted was Princess Alice of Gloucester in 1975.

Historically, installation services would be held every four years at Westminster Abbey. Since 2021, smaller annual installation services are now held instead.