Order of the Star of India/Order of the Indian Empire
The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is a British order that was founded by Queen Victoria in 1861 to honour Indian rulers as well as British administrators and officers serving in India. In 1878 a junior order was created, the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, which was intended to be less exclusive and had many more members. There were three classes of members, Knights Grand Commander (not Knights Grand Cross since this order was not exclusively Christian), Knights Commander, and Companions. Female rulers were eligible for membership as Knights; there were no Dames in the Order. Membership also expanded to include other rulers in the Middle East and Asia.
The motto of the Order of the Star of India was "Heaven's Light Our Guide." The motto of the Order of the Indian Empire was "Imperatricis auspiciis [Under the auspices of the Empress]."
The insignia of the Order of the Star of India included a gold collar (for Knights Grand Commander only) with a design of roses, lotus flowers, palm branches, and a crown; a star (gold for Knights Grand Commander and silver for Knights Commander) in the form of a sunburst surrounding a five-pointed star; a badge depicting Queen Victoria and the motto of the Order; and a blue and white riband worn over the right shoulder. The vestments included a blue satin mantle lined with white silk, with the star of the Order shown on the left shoulder. The insignia of the Order of the Indian Empire included a gold collar (for Knights Grand Commander only) with a design of elephants, roses, and peacocks; a star (gold and silver ten-point star for Knights Grand Commander and plain silver for Knights Commander) with the rays surrounding a portrait of Queen Victoria and the motto of the Order; a badge in the form of a five-petalled red flower surrounding a portrait of Queen Victoria and the motto of the Order and surmounted with a crown; and a dark blue riband. The vestments included a dark blue satin mantle lined with white silk, with the star of the Order shown on the left shoulder.
Both orders have been in abeyance since 1947, when India became independent.
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British and Commonwealth order of chivalry that acknowledges outstanding service in the foreign and Commonwealth fields. It was established in 1818 by the Prince Regent during the reign of George III as an order restricted to those who served with distinction in the Ionian Islands. When the Islands became part of Greece in the middle of the 19th century the Order was expanded to include Commonwealth and foreign affairs.
The Order has a membership of three classes like those in the Order of the Bath: Knights/Dames Grand Cross, Knights/Dames Commander, and Companions, with a membership limit of 125, 375, and 1750, respectively (members of the British royal family and foreigners are not included in these limits).
The Chapel of the Order was originally in Corfu but since 1906 has been located in St Paul's Cathedral, where installation services are held every four years. The chapel contains the banners and coats of arms of the knights.The patron saints of the order are The motto is "Auspicium melioris aevi [Token of a better age]."
The insignia of the Order depend on the class of membership. They include a gold collar (for Knights and Dames Grand Cross only) with a design of crowned lions, winged lions, and Maltese crosses; a star in the form of two Maltese crosses with a central depiction of St Michael trampling Satan, worn by Knights/Dames Grand Cross and Knights/Dames Commander; a white-enamelled badge (worn by all members) in the form of a seven-armed Maltese cross surrounding a central depiction of St Michael trampling Satan (obverse) and St George and the dragon (reverse); and a blue and red riband worn over the right shoulder. The vestments include a blue satin mantle lined with crimson silk, with the star of the Order shown on the left shoulder.
Order of Merit
The Order of Merit is a British and Commonwealth order in the gift of the Sovereign. It honours achievement in the arts and sciences; there is also a military division, but no military appointments have been made for many years. It was established in 1902 by Edward VII, a monarch more interested in intellectual and artistic achievement than most 19th- and 20th-century monarchs. There are up to 24 members (both male and female), as well as honourary foreign members.
The badge is a red cross surmounted by a crown; in the centre is the motto of the order, "For Merit," surrounded by a laurel wreath. The chapel of the Order is the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace.
Order of the Companions of Honour
The Order of the Companions of Honour is a British and Commonwealth order established in 1917 by George V. It honours outstanding achievement of national importance, including artistic and scientific, and thus can be seen as an extension of the Order of Merit. There are up to 65 members (both male and female), as well as honourary foreign members.
The badge is an oval gold medallion showing an oak tree, with a blue border carrying the motto of the Order, "In Action Faithful and In Honour Clear." The badge is surmounted by a crown.
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a British and Commonwealth order in the personal gift of the Sovereign and is awarded to those who have personally rendered service to the monarch. There are five grades of member: Knights/Dames Grand Cross, Knights/Dames Commander, Commander, Lieutenant, and Member. There is no limit on the number of members that may exist at any given time. Membership was extended to females in 1936.
The motto of the Order is "Victoria." The Chapel of the Order is the Queen's Chapel of the Savoy, London. The service of the Order is held every four years, in St George's Chapel, Windsor.
The insignia of the Order include a gold collar (for Knights/Dames Grand Cross only) with a design of roses and Queen Victoria's name; a star (for Knights/Dames Grand Cross and Knights/Dames Commander) that is a different shape for the two grades, with a centrepiece depicting Queen Victoria's royal and imperial cypher; a badge consisting of a white-enamelled Maltese Cross with a centrepiece again showing Queen Victoria's cypher; and a blue riband with red and white trim, worn over the right shoulder. The vestments of the Order include a blue and red mantle with the star of the Order shown on the left shoulder.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is the most junior of all the British orders. It was created by George V in 1917 as a way to honour ordinary people for their service during the First World War. Since then, the Order has expanded in scope to also recognise excellence in the arts, sciences, and culture as well as dedicated involvement in charitable and welfare organisations. Membership is contingent on recommendation to the Sovereign by the government of the day. There are five grades of member: Knights/Dames Grand Cross, Knights/Dames Commander, Commander, Officer, and Member. Women were admitted to membership from the start.
The motto of the Order is "For God and the Empire." The Chapel of the Order is located in the Crypt of St Paul's Cathedral; services are held in the Cathedral itself every four years.
The insignia of the Order include a collar (for Knights/Dames Grand Cross only) with a design of medallions showing the Royal Arms and the royal and imperial cypher of George V; a star (for Knights/Dames Grand Cross and Knights/Dames Commander only), eight-pointed for Knights/Dames Grand Cross and four-pointed for Knights/Dames Commander, with a centrepiece showing portraits of George V and Queen Mary and the motto of the Order; a badge in the form of a cross with the same centrepiece as in the star; and a rose pink riband with grey trim, worn over the right shoulder. The vestments of the Order include a rose-pink satin mantle lined with grey silk, with the star of the Order shown on the left shoulder.
Royal Family Orders
The Royal Family Order is given to female members of the royal family as a personal gift from the Sovereign with no involvement from the government of the day. The Order was originated by George IV, who presented members of the royal family with miniature portraits of himself. All sovereigns since then have presented their own Orders to female royals. The Order is a portrait framed in diamonds and mounted on a ribbon. The colour of the ribbon traditionally changes from reign to reign; the ribbon of Elizabeth II's Family Order is chartreuse yellow. On formal occasions the recipients of the Royal Family Orders of the present or previous monarchs will wear the Orders on their left shoulder, with the most recent at the top.
Threads
here and
here.