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Founded by Edward III in 1348, The Order of the Garter is the most senior and the oldest British Order of Chivalry. The origin of the emblem of the Order, a blue garter, is not known exactly. Legend has it that it was inspired by an incident which took place when the King was dancing with the Countess of Salisbury. The Countess's garter fell to the floor and the King then picked it up and tied it to his own leg. Those watching were amused, but the Edward scolded them saying, 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' (Shame on him who thinks this evil). This then became the motto of the Order. Modern scholars, however, think it is more likely that the motto and Order were inspired by the strap used to attach pieces of armor, and that the motto could have referred to critics of Edward's claim to the throne of France.
Every June, the Knights of the Garter gather at Windsor Castle, where new knights take the oath and are invested with the insignia. Then there is luncheon in the Waterloo Chamber, after which the knights process to a service in St George's Chapel, wearing their blue velvet robes and black velvet hats with white feathers. The Queen, as Sovereign of the Order, attends the service along with other members of the Royal family in the Order, including The Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, The Prince of Wales and The Princess Royal. [Top]
The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle represents the highest honor in Scotland, and it is second only to England's Order of the Garter. It is possible that the Order may have been founded by James III, who was responsible for the changes in royal symbolism in Scotland, including the adoption of the thistle as the royal plant. James V bestowed the insignia of the 'Order of the Burr or Thissil' on Francis I of France in 1535. Around the time of the Reformation, the Order was discontinued.
There was a Scottish order of chivalry that existed in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, but it was James VII of Scotland (also King James II of England) who officially established the Order under new rules in 1687. He wanted to be able to reward the Scottish peers who supported his political and religious ideals. The chapel for the Order was to be within the Palace of Holyroodhouse, in Edinburgh. However, the political situation deteriorated and, by the time it was ready for use 1688, the chapel had been destroyed by a rioting mob. It was not until 1911 that the Order finally had an official chapel, adjacent to St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, in which its services and ceremonies could be held. When there is a new knight appointed to the Order, a service is held each year during the week spent by The Queen at Holyrood.
The star of the Order (right) consists of a silver St. Andrew's saltire (cross), with clusters of rays between the 'arms'. In the center is a green circle bearing the motto of the Order, and within the circle there is a thistle on a gold field. The badge (left) depicts St. Andrew in the same form as the star. On the reverse, it depicts a thistle, on a green ground and surrounded by the Order's motto
The Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick was founded in 1783 by King George III, to reward those in high office in Ireland and Irish peers who supported the government. It served as the national Order of Ireland, much like the Garter for England and the Thistle for Scotland. St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is also patron of the order. Its motto "Quis separabit?" is Latin for "Who will separate us?". This is a reference to Bible passage Romans 8:35, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?"
The badge is made of gold and depicts a shamrock bearing three crowns, on top of a cross of St. Patrick and surrounded by a blue circle bearing the motto. Also seen is the date of the Order's foundation in Roman numerals ("MDCCLXXXIII"). The star of the Order is an eight-pointed star figure. Each point is shown as a cluster of rays. In the center is the same motto and design that appears on the badge. The Order went into abeyance with the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922 (now the Republic of Ireland), but became officially extinct in 1974 with the death of the last surviving recipient, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester. The Queen, however, remains the Sovereign of the Order, and one of its officers, the Ulster King of Arms, also survives. [Top]
Founded by Edward VII in 1902, the Order of Merit is a very special distinction 'given to such persons ... as may have rendered exceptionally meritorious service in Our Crown Services or towards the advancement of the Arts, Learning, Literature, and Science or such other exceptional service as We are fit to recognise'. The Order of Merit is in the sole gift of the Sovereign.
The Order is restricted to 24 members as well as additional foreign recipients (there are very few of the latter, although many have been given to such notable persons including Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela). There is also a military division included in the 24; although the last member of this was Lord Mountbatten, the military division has never been abolished. [Top]
This Order was instituted in 1917 by George V at the same time as the Order of the British Empire was founded, and it is sometimes regarded as a junior class of the Order of Merit. The Order consists of the Sovereign and 65 ordinary members; foreigners are admitted only as honorary members and certain additional members are appointed by statute in commemoration of special occasions.
The Order is conferred on men and women for services of national importance. Prime Ministers of Commonwealth countries may make nominations. The badge, clasped on by an imperial crown, has a blue-enamelled border bearing the motto of the Order, 'In action faithful and in honour clear'. [Top]
The name of this Order is of medieval origin. It comes from the ritual washing (baptismal washing), a symbol of spiritual purification, which formed part of a knight's preparations for the conferment of knighthood. The honor wasn't conferred until the candidates had been prepared by performing various rituals made to purify the soul. They did this by fasting, vigils and prayer, and cleansing themselves by bathing.
The Order now consists of the Sovereign (The Queen), the Great Master (The Prince of Wales) and three classes of members. The statutes provide for 120 Knights and Dames Grand Cross (GCB), 295 Knights and Dames Commander (KCB and DCB) and 1,455 Companions (CB). The Order is principally awarded to officers of the Armed Services, as well as to a small number of civil servants. In 1971 women were admitted to the Order for the first time.
The Star of the military knights and Dames Grand Cross is composed of rays of silver, charged with an eight-pointed (Maltese) cross. In the centre, on a silver background, are three imperial crowns within a band of red enamel inscribed with the motto of the Order. This is surrounded by two branches of laurel; where the stems cross is placed a blue scroll inscribed Ich Dien ('I serve'), the motto on The Prince of Wales' insignia. The Star of the civil Grand Cross is similar in appearance, but doesn't have the Maltese cross, laurel wreath and scroll. The motto is 'Tria juncto in uno' ('Three joined in one'), a motto first used in James I's (and VI of Scotland) reign. This may refer to either the Union of England, Scotland and France; the Union of England, Scotland and Ireland; or to the Holy Trinity.
Every four years members of the Order attend a service of remembrance, dedication and praise which is held in the presence of the Grand Master (The Prince of Wales). During the Service, the Installation takes place in the Henry VII Chapel. Every eighth year, Her Majesty The Queen attends the service. Foreign nationals may receive honorary membership of the Order and receive the insignia, although they are not able to use the style 'Sir'. Two former Presidents of the United States have received GCBs: Ronald Reagan (1989) and George Bush, Sr. (1993). [Top]
This Order was instituted in April 1818 by the Prince Regent, later George IV, and it was intended to commemorate the placing of the Ionian Islands under British protection; originally, it was intended for distinguished citizens of the islands, and also of Malta. In the beginning, the Order was conferred upon those holding high position and commands in the Mediterranean; the islands there, acquired in the Napoleonic Wars, were at that time very strategically placed and of great importance to Britain.
Towards the end of the nineteenth century, due to the expansion of the British Empire, the Order was then extended to those who had given distinguished service in the Dominions and Colonies, as well as foreign affairs.
The Order's motto is Auspicium melioris aevi ('Token of a better age'). The banners of arms of the Knights and Dames Grand Cross are hung in the Chapel of the Order, which is in St Paul's Cathedral. The Star and Badge of the Order feature the cross of St George, the Order's motto, and a representation of the archangel Michael holding in his right hand a flaming sword and trodding upon Satan. [Top]
The Royal Victorian Order is given by The Queen to people who have served her or the Monarchy in a personal way. These may include officials of the Royal Household, family members or even British Ambassadors who have helped organise a State Visit.
The Order was founded in April 1896 by Queen Victoria as a way of rewarding personal service to her. The Order is the Sovereign's personal gift. The anniversary of the institution of the Order is June 20, the day of Queen Victoria's accession to the throne. [Top]
The Order of the British Empire was created during the First World War in 1917 by George V. The King realized the necessity for an award of honor that could be widely given in recognition of the large numbers of people in the British Isles and other parts of the Empire who were helping the war effort both as combatants and as civilians on the home front. For the first time, women were included in an order of chivalry, and it was decided that the Order should also include foreigners who had helped the British war effort.
Once every four years, two thousand members of the Order attend a service there to celebrate the Order. Each person attending wears their award. The motto of the Order is 'For God and the Empire'. [Top]
The George Cross came into being during World War II. The blitzkreig on many British cities prompted a brave and noble response from civilians, who put their lives on the line in dangerous situations defending their country. King George VI witnessed several of these acts personally and decided to create The George Cross for Bravery and the George Medal (not pictured). The entire island of Malta was awarded the Cross for their resistance to heavy German bombing. The island was thenceforth known as Malta GC. [Top]
The institution of Orders in the nineteenth century reflected Britain's imperial role. Certain Orders, such as the Order of St Michael and St George, were created to reward loyalty and service overseas by both officers from England and those in the colonial states.
With the creation of the new Commonwealth during George VI's reign, many countries of the old Empire became independent, appointed their own heads of state and some countries introduced their own honors systems. Other realms, which retained a constitution with The Queen as Head of State and did not create their own honors systems, could still put forward nominations for British Orders. The Governor-General, as the Queen's representative, usually invests the recipients but they may, if they wish, attend an Investiture in Buckingham Palace. Other countries, such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand (though which The Queen remains Sovereign), created their own honors systems. They are therefore able to award their citizens with their own national honors. People are nominated by the government ministers of the country in question, and formally approved by The Queen. The Orders are conferred by the Governor-General in that particular country.
In all these Orders, Christian imagery and earlier concepts of chivalry are excluded, allowing the Orders to be given to all, regardless of religious background. Instead, the Orders' insignia feature national elements in their designs: a snowflake for Canada, a mimosa flower for Australia and a combination of Maori and European elements for New Zealand - such elements reflect the modern changes in their respective honors systems. The Queen has her own badges as Sovereign of each Order. [Top]
George IV started the practice of presenting Family Orders, or portraits of the Sovereign set in diamonds suspended from a ribbon. Before 1820, the Sovereign's portrait set in a jewelled frame had been worn by both ladies and gentlemen at Court, and especially by female members of the Royal family. George IV's successors continued this practice, with most sovereigns presenting jewelled portraits of themselves suspended on different coloured ribbon for each monarch - George V was white, George VI was rose pink, and The Queen's chartreuse yellow.
The Orders are worn on formal occasions by female members of the Royal family only. The Queen and her sister, Princess Margaret, were given their awards by their father, George VI, and both wore them at their parents' coronation. More than one Order can be worn at the same time - Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother wore the Orders of both The Queen and George VI. And Her Majesty wears that of her father (George VI) and grandfather (George V). [Top]
The Badge consists of a medallion of Queen Victoria and the prince Consort, differing in the width and jewelling of the border as the Classes descend. The fourth substitutes a jewelled cipher. All four were surmounted by a crown, which was attached to a bow of white moire ribbon. The honour conferred no rank or title upon the recipient. Click here to see close-up views of the order. [Top]
The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is an order of chivalry founded by Victoria in 1877. The Order includes members of three classes:
* Knight Grand Commander (GCIE)
* Knight Commander (KCIE)
* Companion (CIE)
No appointments have been made since 1947, the year India became independent. The only surviving members of the Order of the Indian Empire are Elizabeth II (the British Queen) and HH The Maharaja of Dhrangadhra (a Knight Commander). Elizabeth II is also the only surviving member of the Order of the Star of India. The badge was worn by Knights Grand Commanders on a dark blue riband, or sash, passing from the right shoulder to the left hip, and by Knights Commanders and Companions from a dark blue ribbon around the neck. It included a five-petalled crown-surmounted red flower, with the image of Victoria surrounded by a dark blue ring with the motto at the centre. (Imperatricis auspiciis - Latin for "Under the auspices of the Empress", a reference to Victoria, the first Empress of India.)
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