Her Majesty The Queen has recently permitted The Incorporation of Cordiners to change its Rules to admit women members. At a meeting of the Privy Council held on 16th December the Queen granted a Supplementary Charter to the Cordiners, the effect of which is to end the centuries old restriction under which only men could join the Craft. The Cordiners, whose records go back before 1550, are presently constituted by a Royal Charter granted by George V in 1919. The Charter provides that members be male. After consultation with the Membership, a Motion to allow women members, promoted by the Master Court, was passed unanimously at the Craft's 2003 Annual Meeting. In consultation with the Privy Council Office in London the Master Court then prepared a formal Petition to the Queen requesting a Supplementary Charter. After a number of formalities this was granted at a Privy Council meeting held just before Christmas. The Charter has now been transmitted to the Scottish Executive, Protocol Department, who will deal with the next stage of the procedure, which involves the production of the Supplementary Charter document, to which the Great Seal of Scotland will be adhibited.