Order of St Michael and St George

The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince of Wales (later George IV) whilst he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III. The Order includes three classes, in descending order of seniority:

Related Topics:
28 April - 1818 - George, Prince of Wales - George III

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• Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GCMG)
• Knight or Dame Commander (KCMG or DCMG)
• Companion (CMG)

It is used to honour individuals who have rendered important services in relation to Commonwealth or foreign nations. Ian Fleming's spy, James Bond, was decorated with the CMG in 1953 (mentioned in the novel From Russia with Love).

Related Topics:
Commonwealth - James Bond

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The Order's motto is Auspicium melioris aevi (Latin for "Token of a better age"). Its patron saints, as the name suggests, are St Michael the Archangel and St George. One of its primary symbols is that of St Michael trampling over Satan.

Related Topics:
Latin - St Michael the Archangel - St George - Satan

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The Order is the sixth-most senior in the British honours system, after The Most Noble Order of the Garter, The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, The Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick, The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, and The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India. The third of the aformentioned Orders—which relates to Ireland, no longer a part of the United Kingdom—still exists but is in disuse; no appointments have been made to it since 1934. The last of the Orders on the list, related to India, is also in disuse for similar reasons.

Related Topics:
British honours system - The Most Noble Order of the Garter - The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle - The Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick - The Most Honourable Order of the Bath - The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India - Ireland - 1934

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An occasionally used humorous mnemonic from Yes, Minister to remember the seniority order is: CMG "Call me God", KCMG "Kindly Call me God" and GCMG "God Calls me God".

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Order of St Michael and St George: History ►