Honours

Royal Victorian Order

Background

The Royal Victorian Order was established by Queen Victoria on April 21, 1896, as a reward for extraordinary, important or personal services performed for the Sovereign or the Royal Family. The Order may be conferred by The Queen of Canada to recognize services rendered to the Sovereign or to members of the Royal Family during Royal Visits to Canada. Names of Canadian recipients are published in the Canada Gazette.

Commander Post-nominal: C.V.O.
Lieutenant Post-nominal: L.V.O.
Member Post-nominal: M.V.O.

Wearing: as prescribed in the Wearing of Orders, Decorations and Medals (http://www.gg.ca/honours/pdf/wearing_e.pdf)

Description

The insignia of the Order consists of a Maltese cross of eight points, in the centre of which is an oval of crimson enamel with the Royal Cypher – VRI (Victoria Regina Imperatrix) – superimposed one letter on the other in gold. Encircling the Royal Cypher is a blue enamel riband with the motto VICTORIA in gold. The Imperial State Crown sits atop the riband.

Commanders receive a two-inch badge with a white-enamelled cross, Lieutenants a one-and-one-half-inch badge with a white-enamelled cross, and Members a one-and-one-half-inch badge with a frosted silver cross.

For more information, you can visit http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page497.asp.

Related Information:

• Royal Victorian Medal

Quick Facts

Established: April 1896 by Queen Victoria
Anniversary: June 20, day of Queen Victoria’s accession to the throne