 Soon after the founding of the Order , women were appointed " Ladies of the Garter , " but were not made companions . King Henry VII discontinued the practice in 1488 ; his mother , Margaret Beaufort , was the last Lady of the Garter before Queen Alexandra . Except for female sovereigns , the next Lady of the Garter named was Queen Alexandra , by her husband King Edward VII . King George V also made his consort , Queen Mary , a Lady of the Garter and King George VI subsequently did the same for his wife , Queen Elizabeth . Throughout the 20th century , women continued to be associated with the Order , but except for foreign female monarchs , they were not made companions . In 1987 , however , it became possible to install " Ladies Companion of the Garter " under a statute of Queen Elizabeth II . 
