The Royal Family Order (RFO) and other Royal Orders and Decorations

[EIIR]

Out of interest, when did Camilla get the RFO? How many years after the wedding? I'm too lazy to go searching for the answer and I'm sure one of several posters with superior knowledge of these things will be able to tell me.

[Dman]

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall was given the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II around 2007. The second year after her marriage to The Prince of Wales.

[EIIR]

Thank you, Dman .

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by Dman

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall was given the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II around 2007. The second year after her marriage to The Prince of Wales.

I would imagine that a lot of people would look at Camilla's receiving the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II just two years into her marriage to The Prince of Wales as being somewhat hurried but I can see some solid reasons for this. I think perhaps that this honor personally bestowed by the Queen tells everyone openly that she has come to realize just how invaluable Camilla's support to her son is and that she has wholeheartedly accepted Camilla into the family and supports her future role as Queen Consort to Charles.

[cepe]

Originally Posted by Duke-of-Earl

But as I commented in my previous post, this isn't your mother's royal family.
Things are changing and William appears to have his grandmother's favour.
I'm only speculating but but I don't think its 'smart' to compare the 'old' BRF with the new and shiny BRF lol.

I never would have believed 10 years ago that William at 30 would be a Royal Duke, a Knight of both the Garter and Thistle but he is and I think it shows the confidence HM has in him.

The discussion re William receiving the Order of the Bath interests me beause even Prince Philip has not received this award. The Queen is Sovereign and therefore is Head of the Order and Prince Charles is Grand Master - that's it. Princess Alice of Gloucester was the only female recipient and from my reading, that was because Prince Henry of Gloucester was Grand Master.

I dont know fo another member of the royal family to receive this - is that correct?

[AdmirerUS]

Originally Posted by cepe

The discussion re William receiving the Order of the Bath interests me beause even Prince Philip has not received this award. The Queen is Sovereign and therefore is Head of the Order and Prince Charles is Grand Master - that's it. Princess Alice of Gloucester was the only female recipient and from my reading, that was because Prince Henry of Gloucester was Grand Master.

I dont know fo another member of the royal family to receive this - is that correct?

Sort of. FYI - William is not yet a Member of the order.

Tim Lawrence is - CB 2007

Like the Order of the Thistle that recognizes government service in in Scotland, the Order of the Bath does that in Britain, So most members tend to be ministers, the military and diplomats - people who work for the country on a daily basis. Neither the Thistle or the Bath orders are handed out "just because you are family." While one most work for any honour, it's more likely a royal family member would receive the family honour (if female) or the Garter or the OBE.

Princess Anne is a great example of a person who has earned an been given a number of appropriate honours.

[sarahedwards2]

Originally Posted by AdmirerUS

Princess Anne is a great example of a person who has earned an been given a number of appropriate honours.

Indeed! That girl is so hard working!

[Artemisia]

Prince Philip has been made Member Special Class of the Order of Kuwait - the highest class of the Order and is reserved only for Princes and Heads of Government. He wore the sash, the ribbon, the star and the badge of the Order for the State Banquet in honour of the Kuwaiti visit.

The honour was most probably conferred upon during this State Visit because previously only two members of the British Royal Family had honours from Kuwait:
- The Queen has Collar of the Order of Mubarak the Great, and is also Member Special Class of the Order of Kuwait.
- Prince Charles is Member of the Order of Mubarak the Great.

The sash of the Special class is green with two white stripes. The badge is worn suspended from a ribbon and the badge - on the left breast.

[Tiggersk8]

Well, that answers the question I had in the State Visit thread. Thanks!!

[Artemisia]

You are welcome.
Orders and decorations are my favourite hobby after genealogy.

[AdmirerUS]

Originally Posted by Artemisia

Prince Philip has been made Member Special Class of the Order of Kuwait...The badge is worn suspended from a ribbon and the badge - on the left breast.

Atremisia - is the sash intended to be worn this low? It looks to be riding underneath Prince Philips's Left armpit. It looks uncomfortable.
http://s02.imageupper.com/1/3/M1354089254118834_1.jpg

[Artemisia]

Originally Posted by AdmirerUS

Atremisia - is the sash intended to be worn this low? It looks to be riding underneath Prince Philips's Left armpit. It looks uncomfortable.
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image

Not really. From what I have seen of other recipients of the Special Order, the Sash is supposed to be worn over the right shoulder - not under the left armpit. Can't really say why the Duke wore it that way.

[vkrish]

Hi Artemisia..I just have a doubt. Maybe its already discussed..Did Edward VIII give his RFO during his brief reign?Who all got them?
And what do you think QEII will give her RFOs to all her grandchildren? Atleast when they are in 30s? Or she makes this also in tune with 'reforms' and confines them to Will, Harry and their wives?
Also, one more question..I read that only DoE and PoW were given Order of Merit. I am afraid no one until William that too in 10-15 years may get it in BRF..But I strongly believe Princess Anne should also be given. She is as deserving as Charles for all the Orders and Honours..What do you say

[Artemisia]

Originally Posted by vkrish

Hi Artemisia..I just have a doubt. Maybe its already discussed..Did Edward VIII give his RFO during his brief reign?Who all got them?

Edward VIII never issued his Royal Family Order so obviously there are no recipients.
In that, he because one of the only two Monarchs after George IV (the other being William IV) to have never had his/her own Royal Family Order.

And what do you think QEII will give her RFOs to all her grandchildren? Atleast when they are in 30s? Or she makes this also in tune with 'reforms' and confines them to Will, Harry and their wives?

I don't think anyone but the Queen could give a definite answer to this question so this is just my opinion.
I think it is highly likely she will, at some point, issue Royal Family Orders for her grandchildren, at least those who are Royal Highnesses - William and Harry's wives, Beatrice and Eugenie. Louise and James are still too young for that (although in past, it was not at all unusual to bestow RFOs upon young children and indeed, Estelle of Sweden was wearing one at her christening), while Zara and Autumn don't really attend events where we could see their Orders.

[Duke-of-Earl]

^^^^ I thought the RFO was only given to female members of the BRF?

[NGalitzine]

Originally Posted by Artemisia

Edward VIII never issued his Royal Family Order so obviously there are no recipients.
In that, he because one of the only two Monarchs after George IV (the other being William IV) to have never had his/her own Royal Family Order.

I don't think anyone but the Queen could give a definite answer to this question so this is just my opinion.
I think it is highly likely she will, at some point, issue Royal Family Orders for her grandchildren, at least those who are Royal Highnesses - William (as well as Kate), Harry, Beatrice and Eugenie. Louise and James are still too young for that (although in past, it was not at all unusual to bestow RFOs upon young children and indeed, Estelle of Sweden was wearing one at her christening), while Zara and Pete don't really attend events where we could see their Orders.

Well she will certainly never give her Royal Family Order to William, Harry, Peter or James since it is for women only.

[Dman]

Well, I think the ones that will recieve The Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II is The Duchess of Cambridge and Harry's future wife. The Queen might give Beatrice & Eugenie the Family Order. I don't know for sure if it's ruled out totally.

[Artemisia]

Originally Posted by NGalitzine

Well she will certainly never give her Royal Family Order to William, Harry, Peter or James since it is for women only.

Originally Posted by Duke-of-Earl

^^^^ I thought the RFO was only given to female members of the BRF?

It is. My bad; I obviously meant William, Harry and James's wives, as well as Beatrice, Eugenie and Louise. Corrected.

[Artemisia]

Originally Posted by vkrish

Also, one more question..I read that only DoE and PoW were given Order of Merit. I am afraid no one until William that too in 10-15 years may get it in BRF..But I strongly believe Princess Anne should also be given. She is as deserving as Charles for all the Orders and Honours..What do you say

While I am the first one to laud Princess Anne's work and achievements, I doubt she - or any other member of the Royal Family during the Queen's reign - will be awarded the Order of Merit. The Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales were given the honour not as much for their achievements (considerable as they may be) but as the Royal Consort and Heir Apparent.

Now, the Order is limited to 24 people only - and not just from Britain but all Commonwealth Realms. It is given for distinguished service in the Armed Forces, art, literature and science. While there is currently one vacant position, Anne, however wonderful she is, doesn't really make the cut, especially if you consider who the previous and current recipients: Florence Nightingale, Lord Lister, Henry Moore, Sir Edward Elgar, T. S. Eliot, E. M. Forster, Graham Greene, Sir Winston Churchill, Earl Attlee, General Baden-Powell, Field Marshal Haig, Sir Geoffrey de Havilland, Albert Schweitzer, General Eisenhower, Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela.

[muriel]

I am a little perplexed by HM wearing the RFO from George V, given she was 9 years old when he passed away, and certainly not expected to be monarch at the time. Any ideas as to when it may have been presented to her, and possibly why?