Women were excluded from the Order . George VI created his wife Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon a Lady of the Thistle in 1937 , and in 1987 Elizabeth II allowed the regular admission of women to both the Order of the Thistle and the Order of the Garter . Women ( other than Queens regnant ) were originally excluded from the Order ; George VI created his wife Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon a Lady of the Thistle in 1937 via a special statute , and in 1987 Elizabeth II allowed the regular admission of women to both the Order of the Thistle and the Order of the Garter .