Royal Victorian Order

The Royal Victorian Order is an order of chivalry that was established by Queen Victoria on 21 April 1896. The Order includes five classes, in order of seniority:

Vestments and accoutrements

Members of the Order wear elaborate costumes on important occasions (such as quadrennial services and coronations), which vary by rank:

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• The mantle, worn only by Knights and Dames Grand Cross, is a dark blue satin coat, edged with red satin. On the left side is a representation of the star (see below).
• The collar, also worn only by Knights and Dames Grand Cross, is made of gold. It consists of octagonal pieces alternating with oblong frames. Each octagonal piece depicts a gold rose on a blue field. Each frame contains one of the following inscriptions: "Victoria," "Brit. Reg." (Queen of Britain), "Def. Fid." (Defender of the Faith) and "Ind. Imp." (Empress of India). In the centre is a medallion bearing Victoria's effigy.This collar is not to be confused with the Royal Victorian Chain. This is a decoration that is not a part of the Royal Victorian Order.

At less important occasions, simpler insignia are used:

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• The star is only worn by the Knights and Dames Grand Cross and the Knights and Dames Commanders. It is worn pinned to the left breast. For Knights and Dames Grand Cross the star is an eight-pointed silver star, with a white enamelled Maltese Cross at the centre; for Knights and Dames Commanders it is an eight-pointed silver Maltese Cross, with silver rays between the arms, and a smaller forsted silver Maltese Cross at the centre. In both cases the oval-shaped central medallion depicts Victoria's Royal and Imperial Cypher, "VRI" (Victoria Regina Imperatrice) on a red background, surrounded by a crown-surmounted blue ring bearing the motto of the Order.
• The badge is the only insignia used by all members of the Order; it is suspended on a blue ribbon with red-wite-red edges. Knights and Dames Grand Cross wear it on a riband or sash, passing from the right shoulder to the left hip. Male Knight Commanders and Commanders wear the badge from a ribbon around the neck; male Lieutenants and Members wear it from a ribbon on the left chest; all female grades (other than Dames Grand Cross) wear it from a bow on the left shoulder. The badge is in the form of a Maltese Cross; on an oval-shaped central medallion, the same design that appears on the star is depicted. The size of the badges varies by rank: the higher classes have slightly larger badges. Lieutenants and Members have badges of the same size, but the badges of Lieutenants (and members of all higher classes) are enamelled, while the badges of Members are made of frosted silver.
• The Royal Victorian Medal shows Victoria's effigy on the obverse, and the words "Royal Victorial Medal" on a scroll beneath Victoria's Royal and Imperial Cypher on the reverse. It is worn in the same fashion as the badge: from a ribbon on the left chest in the case of men, and from a bow on the left shoulder in the case of women. The ribbon is different from th ribbon of the Order. It has a broad white stripe down its center.

On certain "collar days" designated by the Sovereign, members attending formal events may wear the Order's collar over their military uniform or evening wear. When collars are worn (either on collar days or on formal occasions such as coronations), the badge is suspended from the collar. Collars are returned upon the death of their owners, but other insignia may be retained.

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