Monday 9 April 2012

New GCVO

The Queen has appointed The Duchess of Cornwall to be a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO).

This greatly esteemed appointment, the personal gift of the sovereign, coincides with the anniversary of Her Royal Highness's marriage to The Prince of Wales.

The Order consists of five grades, viz. GCVO, KCVO/DCVO, CVO, LVO and MVO.

At formal events, or collar days, of which there are 34 throughout the year, such as New Year's Day and royal anniversaries, Knights and Dames Grand Cross wear the Royal Victorian Order's livery collar, consisting of an alternating string of octagonal gold pieces depicting a gold rose on a blue field and gold oblong frames.

The chain supports a larger octagonal medallion with a blue enamel surface edged in red and charged with a saltire, over which is an effigy of Queen Victoria; members of the order suspend from this medallion their insignia as a badge pendant.

Though after the death of a Knight or Dame Grand Cross their insignia may be retained by their family, the collar must be returned.

Knights and Dames Grand Cross also wear a mantle of dark blue satin edged with red satin and lined with white satin, bearing a representation of the order's star on the left side.

There are variations on the badge for each grade of the order: Knights and Dames Grand Cross wear the badge on a sash passing from the right shoulder to the left hip.

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