Royal Family Order
The Royal Family Order is an order awarded by the sovereign of a monarchy to female members of the royal family, as female members of the royal family typically do not wear the commemorative medals that men wear. The order is more of a personal memento rather than a state decoration although it can be worn during state occasions. The only way to know who the order has been given to is to see the recipient wearing it. The same practice is in place in the United Kingdom as is in the royal families of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Tonga.
History
United Kingdom
The first Royal Family Order was issued during and after the regency of George IV. Prior to 1820, he started the practice of presenting the order to ladies and gentlemen of the Court, particularly female members of the Royal family. His order was rather ornate in appearance, and the frame that surrounded his portrait was of diamond oak leaves and acorns. The badge was suspended from a white silk bow which varied for men and women. As a young woman, Princess Victoria of Kent (later Queen Victoria) received this badge from her uncle.
Sweden
Oscar II is the earliest known Swedish king who presented female relatives with a miniature portrait of himself surrounded by brilliants. At that time, miniatures were not attached to the blue ribbon of the Order of the Seraphim that is the case today. In Sweden, the portraits are known as Kungens miniatyrporträtt (literally meaning: The King's miniature portrait).
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Miniature portrait in brilliants of Gustav V, mounted on blue silk, as worn by Princess Märtha of Sweden
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Sofia of Nassau wearing a miniature of Oscar II—note that there is no blue ribbon as is used today.
Appearance
The badge of the order consists of a portrait of the sovereign set in diamonds, which is suspended from a ribbon. In the United Kingdom, the colour of the ribbon changes with each reign [1] and is the only region that has this trait. On the back of the portrait frame is an engraving with the sovereign's monogram.[2] A hidden pin attaches it to the wearer's clothes.
Royal Family Orders
- Royal Family Order of King George IV (1811/1821)
- Royal Order of Victoria and Albert (1862)
- Royal Family Order of King Edward VII (1901)
- Royal Family Order of King George V (1911)
- Royal Family Order of King George VI (1937)
- Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II (1953)
- King George Tupou V Royal Family Order (2008)
- Royal Family Orders of Sweden
- Royal Family Orders of The United Kingdom
References
- ↑ "United Kingdom: The Royal Family Orders". Retrieved 13 June 2014.
- ↑ "United Kingdom: The Royal Family Orders". Retrieved 13 June 2014.