Types of Honour

Honours are normally awarded twice a year. A list is published on The Queen's Birthday in
June and another list is published at the New Year.

Types of Award: a quick guide to the different types of award.

Orders of Chivalry: the Orders of Chivalry explained.

Bravery Awards: describes the types of honours awarded for bravery.

Order of Wear: instructions on how to wear each award.

Types of Award
A Quick Guide to the Awards

Companion of Honour

Awarded for a pre-eminent and sustained contribution in the arts, science, medicine, or
government.

Knight/Dame

Awarded for a pre-eminent contribution in any field of activity, through:

 achievement or service to the community usually, but not exclusively, at national

level; or
 in a capacity which will be recognised by peer groups as inspirational and significant
nationally; and
 which demonstrates sustained commitment.

CBE

Awarded for:

 a prominent national role of a lesser degree; or

 a conspicuous leading role in regional affairs, through achievement or service to the
community; or
 making a highly distinguished, innovative contribution in his or her area of activity.
OBE

Awarded for:

 a distinguished regional or country-wide role in any field;

 through achievement or service to the community;
 including notable practitioners known nationally.

MBE

Awarded for:

 achievement or service in and to the community of a responsible kind which is

outstanding in its field; or
 very local 'hands-on' service which stands out as an example to others.

In all cases awards illuminate areas of dedicated service which merit public recognition.

The Orders of Chivalry

The honours system has grown and evolved from its fourteenth century origins and today
there are ten orders and one appointment available to those performing meritorious service.
Some of the countries of which The Queen is head of state also use some of these awards. The
following awards are made personally by The Sovereign:

The Most Noble Order of the Garter

 Motto: Honi soit qui mal y pense (Shame on him who thinks this evil)
 Date created: 1348
 Level: Knight/Lady of the Garter
 Post nominal letters: KG/LG
 Remarks: Limited to 25 Knights

The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most prestigious of the meritorious orders. The
Order was founded by Edward III in the 14th century. The origins of its name and motto are
obscure. The chapel of the order is St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.

The Most Ancient and Noble Order of the Thistle

 Motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (No one provokes me with impunity)
 Date created: 1687
 Level: Knight/Lady of the Thistle
 Post nominal letters: KT/LT

The Order of the Thistle has ancient roots, but was only established on a statutory basis by
James II in 1687. It is limited to 16 Knights (women were admitted in 1987), all of whom
must be Scottish.

The Order of Merit

 Date created: 1902
  Level: Member of the Order of Merit
 Post nominal letters: OM

This order was created by Edward VII to recognise nationally distinguished contributions in
science, art, music, literature and public life. There is also a military division which is used to
award exceptional military leaders in time of war. The order is limited to 24 members.

The Royal Victorian Order

 Date created: 1896
 Levels: Knight/Dame Grand Cross (Post Nominal Letters: GCVO) Knight/Dame
Commander (Post Nominal Letters: KCVO/DCVO) Commander (Post Nominal
Letters: CVO) Lieutenant (Post Nominal Letters: LVO) Member (Post Nominal
Letters: MVO)

Given for services to The Queen and other members of the Royal Family. There is also a
medal, the Royal Victorian Medal, with three grades, gold, silver and bronze. The chapel of
the order is The Queen's Chapel of the Savoy.

Other awards are made by The Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister, the Foreign
Secretary, and the Secretary of State for Defence and include:

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath

 Motto: Tria Juncta in uno (Three joined in one)
 Date Created: 1725
 Levels: Knight/Dame Grand Cross (Post Nominal Letters: GCB) Knight/Dame
Commander (Post Nominal Letters: KCB/DCB) Companion (Post Nominal Letters:
CB)

The Order of the Bath is another order with ancient roots. It takes it name from the ceremonial
bathing that preceded investiture in medieval times. The order was formally established in
1725 and is awarded to state servants (including members of the Armed Forces). It has a
military division and a civil division. The chapel of the Order is in Westminster Abbey.

The Order of St Michael and St George

 Motto: Auspicium Melioris Aevi (Token of a better age)
 Date Created: 1818
 Levels: Knight/Dame Grand Cross (Post Nominal Letters: GCMG) Knight/Dame
Commander (Post Nominal Letters: KCMG/DCMG) Companion (Post Nominal
Letters: CMG)

This order was created in the early part of the 19th century to reward service in Malta and the
Ionian islands. It has since evolved to encompass any members of the Diplomatic Service and
those who render service to UK interests overseas. The chapel of the order is in St Paul's
cathedral.

The Order of the British Empire

 Motto: For God and the Empire
 Date Created: 1917
  Levels: Knight/Dame Grand Cross (Post Nominal Letters: GBE) Knight/Dame
Commander (Post Nominal Letters: KBE/DBE) Commander (Post Nominal Letters:
CBE) Officer (Post Nominal Letters: OBE) Member (Post Nominal Letters: MBE)

This order was instituted by George V to recognise all levels of service to the country during
the first 'total' war. It has evolved to embrace service and achievement in all fields. The Order
has a military division and a civil division. The chapel of the order is in St Paul's Cathedral.
The British Empire Medal has not been used in the United Kingdom since 1993.

The Order of the Companions of Honour

 Motto: In action faithful, in honour clear
 Date Created: 1917
 Levels: Companion
 Post Nominal Letters: CH

This order is similar to the Order of Merit in that it is awarded to people who perform
important service to the nation in select fields. Its membership is limited to 65 companions

Other Awards

The Imperial Service Order was created in 1902 with one level of award - Companion - and a
medal for civil servants. The Companion award ceased to be used in the United Kingdom in
1993, but the Imperial Service Medal continues to be awarded to civil servants who have
completed 25 years of service in a non-managerial grade.

The Distinguished Service Order was created in 1886 and has only one level of award -
Companion. It is awarded to officers of the armed forces for gallantry and leadership in
action. It can be awarded to officers of the Merchant Navy in time of war.

The appointment of Knight Bachelor (to men only) originates from the medieval period and
recipients are called 'Sir' but have no post nominal letters. There is no equivalent appointment
for women (the DBE is awarded instead).

Summary of post nominal letters

Summary of post nominal letters
Order Est. Levels
Order of the Garter 1348 K/LG - - - - -
Order of the Thistle 1687 K/LT - - - - -
Order of the Bath 1725 GCB K/DCB CB - - -
Order of Merit 1902 OM - - - - -
Order of St Michael And St George 1818 GCMG K/DCMG CMG - - -
Royal Victorian Order 1896 GCVO K/DCVO CVO LVO MVO RVM
Order of the British Empire 1917 GBE K/DBE CBE OBE MBE BEM
Order of the Companions of Honour 1917 CH - - - - -
Distinguished Service Order 1886 - - DSO - - -
Imperial Service Order 1902 - - ISO - - ISM
Bravery Awards
Bravery awards are made in recognition of specific acts by individuals who risk their own
lives in order to save, or attempt to save, the life of one of The Queen's subjects. They are also
used to recognise similarly selfless brave acts undertaken in the prevention of crime or in the
arrest, or attempted arrest, of dangerous criminals.

Anyone may nominate a person for a bravery award, though the majority of cases are made
through official channels (police, fire service etc). All cases are assessed on their own merits
and against criteria established by precedent. There is no limit on the number of awards.
Awards may be made at any time, although they will usually be published in two lists each
year.

For civilian awards, the Ceremonial Secretariat coordinates the assessment of nominations.
The Prime Minister then submits them to The Sovereign for approval. The Ministry of
Defence considers awards recognising acts of bravery in military operations.

Types of Bravery Award

Like other honours and medals, gallantry awards have changed and evolved over time.
Currently there are a number of bravery awards. They are organised into different levels to
recognise the degree of bravery involved. The civil awards are:

George Cross

This award is granted for acts of bravery of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous
courage in circumstances of extreme danger. It may be granted posthumously but is restricted
to British subjects. Holders may use the post nominal letters 'GC' after their names.

George Medal

This award is granted for gallantry of an extremely high order. It may be granted
posthumously and is not restricted to British subjects. Holders may use the post nominal
letters 'GM' after their name.

The Queen’s Gallantry Medal

This award is granted for gallantry of an exceptional order. It may be granted posthumously
and is not restricted to British subjects. Holders may use the post nominal letters 'QGM' after
their name.

The Queen’s Commendation for Bravery, and The Queen’s Commendation for
Bravery in the Air

These awards are granted for gallantry, of a high order entailing risk to life and meriting
national recognition. Both awards may be granted posthumously and are not restricted to
British subjects. These awards do not give rise to post nominal letters.
Further awards

All the awards above may be awarded more than once if further acts of gallantry are
performed and are considered worthy of recognition. For multiple awards, a bar is added to
the ribbon of the GC, GM and QGM. Recipients of a Queen’s Commendation may receive
further commendations.

Nominating for gallantry awards

Nominations usually originate with one of the emergency services (usually the police), but
may also come from members of the public. These nominations are passed to the relevant
government department and considered before being submitted to the Ceremonial Secretariat
of the Cabinet Office.

The assessment process

The Ceremonial Secretariat will put the cases for awards to the George Cross Committee
(GCC) for consideration. If the Committee approves the awards a formal submission is made
by the GCC, through the Prime Minister, to The Sovereign for approval.

Publication

The Ceremonial Secretariat arranges for publication of the awards in The London Gazette. It
is usual for a citation to be published giving broad details of the act of gallantry.