 From the 18th century , the Sovereign made his or her choices on the advice of the Government . In 1946 , with the agreement of 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 . 
