Royal Victorian Order

Royal Victorian Order

The Royal Victorian Order (RVO) is a dynastic order of knighthood established by Queen Victoria in 1896. It is awarded to individuals who have rendered distinguished service to the monarch or the royal family. The order is currently bestowed by the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom, and it recognizes both British and foreign citizens.

History

The Royal Victorian Order was created by Queen Victoria to honor personal service to her and her descendants. It was initially intended to be a house order, meaning it would be awarded solely to members of the royal family and their close associates. However, in 1936, King George V expanded the order to include non-royal members.

Membership

Membership in the Royal Victorian Order is divided into five classes, each denoted by a different insignia. The highest class is the Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GCVO), followed by Knight or Dame Commander (KCVO or DCVO), Commander (CVO), Lieutenant (LVO), and Member (MVO). The ranks of Knight or Dame Grand Cross and Knight or Dame Commander are the only ones that entitle the recipient to use the title "Sir" or "Dame" before their name.

Insignia

The insignia of the Royal Victorian Order consists of a Maltese cross with a central medallion depicting the royal cypher of the reigning monarch. The cross is surmounted by a crown, and the badge is worn on a ribbon of blue with red borders. The design of the insignia has remained largely unchanged since its creation, with minor modifications made to reflect the reigning monarch's cypher.

Notable Recipients

Many distinguished individuals have been awarded the Royal Victorian Order throughout its history. Some notable recipients include:

• Queen Elizabeth II - The current reigning monarch and sovereign of the order.
• Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh - The late husband of Queen Elizabeth II, who was awarded the order in 1947.
• Winston Churchill - The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, who was made a Knight of the Order in 1953.
• Nelson Mandela - The former President of South Africa, who was made an honorary Knight Grand Cross in 1995.

See Also

• Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom
• Honours system in the United Kingdom