Royal Victorian Chain

The Royal Victorian Chain is an award, which was created in 1902 by King Edward VII. It is a personal award of the Monarch that this in its sole discretion, ie without relying on the government's proposal, forgives. Although the Royal Victorian Order looks very similar, there are no direct links between the two awards.

The award of the Royal Victorian Chain is different than that of the higher levels of the Order of the British or the einklassigen highest order not associated with a title of nobility. Also, there is not a special salutation nor will the ceremony by a particular sequence of letters by the last name (so-called post- nominals ) indicated for the carrier. The carriers are not even listed in the most differentiated in the UK protocol Aryan hierarchy. Nevertheless, it is a sign of special personal recognition of the British monarch.

The chain can be given both to the citizens of Commonwealth realms, as well as to foreigners. Currently, there are 12 living carriers of the award, only two of which at the time of the award were not head of state of their country. This is the Earl of Airlie, the long-standing Lord Chamberlain of the Household, and by Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, which Queen Elizabeth II, especially in the difficult for them 1992 ( " Annus horribilis " ) to the side has confessed.

As Canadians may not accept any title of nobility after a controversial decision, however, the content of the Canadian Parliament, the Royal Victorian Chain also serves as the highest honor for Canadians.

The chain consists of golden double row chain parts, which are connected by Tudor roses, thistles, shamrocks and lotus flowers, symbolizing England, Scotland, Ireland and India. Front the connector as enamelled crowned monogram with the initials " ERI " ( Edwardus Rex Imperator ) is configured on the oval medal is attached. On this the initials of Queen Victoria " VRI " (Victoria Regina Imperatrix ) are shown on a red background. On the blue border, which in turn is crowned, the word " Victoria ". Both the crown and the initials of the coin are decorated with diamonds.

While men wear the necklace as a neck order, is provided with ladies that they wear the necklace with the motives mentioned above on a ribbon on the left shoulder. However, Princess Margaret, sister of Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Victorian Chain was also around the neck, as provided for in men.

After the death of the honorees, the chain must be returned.

Current bearer of the award

  • Beatrix, Princess of the Netherlands
  • Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand
  • George Leonard Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury
  • Carl XVI. Gustaf, King of Sweden
  • António Ramalho Eanes, former President of Portugal
  • Harald V, King of Norway
  • Juan Carlos I, King of Spain
  • Margrethe II, Queen of Denmark
  • David Ogilvy, 13th Earl of Airlie, longtime Lord Chamberlain of the Household
  • Richard von Weizsäcker, former President
  • Abdullah, King of Saudi Arabia
  • Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

See also: List of winners of the Royal Victorian Chain

Style (manner of address) George Carey Tudor-Rose Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon Beatrix of the Netherlands
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