[2] The two awards are granted for bravery entailing risk to life and meriting national recognition, but not to the standard required of the King's Gallantry Medal.

[3] The King's Commendation for Bravery is open to both to civilians in peacetime conditions and to all ranks of the British Armed Forces for actions not in the presence of an enemy.

[6] Originally only one commendation or mention in dispatches emblem of each category could be worn on any one medal ribbon.

[7] In a change introduced in 2014, those with multiple awards may wear up to three of each commendation and mention in dispatch devices on a single campaign medal and ribbon bar.

[8] This table summarises the various King's and Queen's Commendations awarded by the United Kingdom: