Royal Victorian Order

The Royal Victorian Order ( Dt.: Victoria Medal ) is a British House Order, which was founded on April 21, 1896 by Queen Victoria and is awarded to those British monarch or a member of the royal family have served in person. These are mostly members of the royal household and retinue, but also family members, members of the armed forces and British diplomats, who have organized a state visit. A ceremony to foreigners is also possible.

Unlike most other orders and medals of the United Kingdom, the Royal Victorian Order is not awarded on the basis of a nomination by the Prime Minister, but the right to award the sole responsibility of the reigning monarch.

Ordenstag is June 20, the day of the accession of Queen Victoria, his motto is Victoria. In the ranking of medals and decorations of the United Kingdom, the Royal Victorian Order is in sixth place.

Order outline

The members of the Order are divided into five classes:

In addition, the Order has a number of offices: Sovereign of the Royal Victorian Order, the respective British monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II ie The sovereign is assisted by an Order Grand Master. . This office was exercised from 1937 to 2002 by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother († 2002). In April 2007, Princess Anne followed her grandmother as Grand Master.

There are five administrative offices within the Order: Chancellor, Secretary, Registrar, Kaplan and genealogist. Unlike most other British orders of chivalry, there is the Royal Victorian Order Order no servant ( Gentleman Usher). Chancellor is the relevant British Lord Chamberlain (Lord Chamberlain of the Household ), the time that is William Peel, 3rd Earl Peel. As secretary always acts the head of the royal Accounting ( Keeper of the Privy Purse ), as registrar of the respective Secretary of the Central Chancery of the Order of Knights ( Secretary to the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood ). Order Kaplan is the respective chaplain to the Queen's Chapel of the Savoy of the former Savoy Hospital in London, which also serves as a religious chapel of the Royal Victorian Order.

Ceremonial clothing and insignia

The members of the Order wear on important occasions such as the coronation of British monarchs own ceremonial dress, which depends on the class:

• The cape is worn only by Knights and Dames Grand Cross. It is made of dark blue satin framed by red satin. On the left side of the breast star (see below) is worn.
• The Collar of, also worn only by Knights and Dames Grand Cross, is made of gold. Its members consist of alternating octagonal members and framed elements. On the octagons a golden rose is always displayed on a blue field, while the framed fields, alternating the inscriptions Victoria, Brit. Reg ( Queen of Great Britain), Fid Def. Have ( defender of the faith ) and Ind. Imp ( Empress of India). In the center is a medallion with the image of Queen Victoria.

At less important occasions, simpler insignia are used:

• The breast star is worn only by Knights and Dames Grand Cross and Knights and Dames Commander of the on the left chest. The star of the Knights and Dames Grand Cross is achtstrahlig with an enameled Maltese cross in the center. For Knight and Dame Commander he is a achtstrahliges silver Maltese cross with rays of silver between them and a smaller silver Maltese cross in the center. In the middle is an oval medallion with the initials VRI ( Victoria Regina, Imperatrix ) is on a red background. In the blue, crowned tape on the edge of the medallion the motto of the Order is reproduced.
• The religious character is worn as a single by all members of the Order. It is worn on a blue ribbon with edges of red-white- red. Knights and Dames Grand Cross wear it on a sash that is worn over the right shoulder to the left hip. Knight Commander and male Commanders wear the badge as a neck order. Male Lieutenants and Members wear it on ribbon on the left chest. All female awardees ( with the exception of Dames Grand Cross ), however, wear it on a loop on the left shoulder. The religious character itself is a Maltese cross. The oval medallion in the center corresponds to that of the star. The size of the religious character increases from class to class. Only Lieutenants and Members have equal sign; that of the lieutenants, however - as well as that of the higher classes - enamelled, while that of the Members is silver plated.

In particular, certain days by the monarch, the so-called collar days, can the members of the Order, if they participate in a ceremony wearing Collar of over their military uniform or their civilian evening clothes. Is on the Collar of when it is worn on a collar day or at important ceremonies, the religious character attached.

All Collanen that have been awarded since 1948, must be returned after the death of the member to the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood. The other insignia remain with the heirs.

Chapel

Since 1937, the Queen's Chapel of the Savoy of the former Savoy Hospital is religious chapel in London. The priest of this royal, independent bishopric chapel is also chaplain of the Order. Religious celebrations for the whole Order are held every four years at St. George 's Chapel in Windsor Castle, because there more sleeps; the admission of new Knights and Dames Grand Cross will take place during such a celebration.

In the Order Chapel in London there are special seats for the members of the Order of the top ranks. On their backs brass plaques with the names, enamelled coat of arms and the recording date of the member are attached. This will never be removed, forming a colorful ornament of style. For the typical helmets and banners of the members of this Order has no place in the chapel.

Hierarchy and privileges

Regular Member of the Royal Victorian Order can only be citizens of the United Kingdom or Commonwealth countries. Citizens of other countries, however, may be appointed as honorary members. Knights and Dames Grand Cross lead behind their name the letters GCVO; Knight Commander and Lady Commander letters KCVO or DCVO; Companions the letters CVO; Lieutenants the letters LVO and MVO Members the letters (so-called post- nominals ).

The members of the Order received a position in the log Aryan hierarchy ( Order of Precedence ), a ranking in which the registered persons are classified by their nominal significance and plays an important role in ceremonial events. Wives of male members are there also included; as sons, daughters and daughters of Knights Grand Cross and Knight Commander. Relatives of a female member to receive the other hand, no position in the list.

By awarding the top two steps of the Royal Victorian Order citizen of the United Kingdom, as well as citizens of the Commonwealth countries that recognize the British monarch as their head of state can be ( Commonwealth realms ), raised to the peerage. The Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commander to be beaten at the medal ceremony ( investiture ) by the monarch knighted ( Knight) and then perform the title Sir before their name. Although Dames Grand Cross and Dames Commander not receive a knighthood, but are also considered knighted and had the title of Dame. As the wives of all British Knights allowed the wives of Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order lead the addition of Lady before their name; a similar privilege does not apply to the husbands of Dames Grand Cross and Dames Commander. Clergy did not receive a knighthood ( knighthood ), just as the foreign members of the Royal Victorian Order. Who is not a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Commonwealth, for which there is an honorary membership of the Order.

Knights and Dames Grand Cross are empowered to borrow plate holder in their coat of arms. You may also a frost which shows the motto of the Order, and take a picture of the Collar of in their coat of arms. Knights and Dames Commander and Companions, however, may only frost in their coat of arms, do not show the chain of orders.

Royal Victorian Medal

The Royal Victorian Medal was instituted simultaneously with the Order. You will also be awarded to individuals who have served the Majesty personally. However, it is a separate award, not a particular stage of the Royal Victorian Order. However, there is a close connection to the Order.

Known awardees

• Lord Robert Baden- Powell ( the founder of Scouting )