Lord Richard Luce, who was vice-chancellor at the university from 1992 to 1996, the governor of Gibraltar from 1997 to 2000, and Lord Chamberlain to the Queen from 2000 to 2006, was given the accolade, the pinnacle of the honours system, on April 23.

The Knight of the Garter is the highest award to be bestowed by the Queen and there are only ever 26 Knights of the Garter at any one time, including the sovereign, and the Prince of Wales.

It was founded by Edward III in 1348 as 'a society, fellowship and college of knights'.

The accolade honours those who have held public office, who have contributed in a particular way to national life, or who have served the Sovereign personally.

The order's emblem is a garter with the motto 'Honi soit qui mal y pense (Old French: 'Shame upon him who thinks evil of it').

Sir Thomas Dunne, the Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, has also been made a Knight of the Garter, and HRH Prince William, has been made a Royal Knight.

The investiture ceremony will take place later this year.