What is the Royal Victorian Order and who can be appointed a Knight or Dame Grand Cross?
As they celebrate seventy years of marriage, the Queen has given Prince Philip the Royal Victorian Order to thank him for his services to the monarchy
BUCKINGHAM Palace announced that the Queen has awarded Prince Philip the Royal Victorian Order, which officially makes him a Knight Grand Cross.
But what is the history of the honour, and who else is able to get one?
What is the Royal Victorian Order and what is its history?
The RVO is awarded by the monarch to people who have served the Royal family.
It was invented by Queen Victoria in 1896 to allow her to personally thank and honour people who had helped her directly, or represented her across the Empire.
There are several different ranks, Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GCVO), Knight or Dame Commander (KCVO or DCVO), Commander (CVO), Lieutenant (LVO) and Member (MVO).
Who can be appointed a Knight or Dame Grand Cross?
The Queen or ruling monarch personally selects who will be given the honour, and it so happens that the Queen's decision to make Prince Philip a GCVO comes as they celebrate their seventieth wedding anniversary.
The Royal Family's official explained: "Awards in the Royal Victorian Order are made personally by The Queen, for services to the Sovereign."
Other people who have been handed the accolade over the past few years have been high ranking army officials and doctors who have spent their lives researching genetic medicine, as well as Prince Harry who was given one in 2015.
What does it look like?
Regardless of which of the five ranks they are in, all Royal Victorian Order members are given a badge which is a Maltese cross surrounded by a blue ring and featuring a Tudor crown.
However, the badge will be different sizes depending on what level the holder is at - with the GCVO being the biggest of them all.
Knights and Dames Grand Cross wear the badge on a sash that crosses from the right shoulder to the left hip, and their badge is also fashioned in white enamel with gold edging, setting it apart from the other ranks.
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