Royal Family Orders of the United Kingdom

The same practice is in place in the royal families of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Thailand, and Tonga.

Prior to his accession in 1820, he started the practice of presenting his portrait set in diamonds to ladies and gentlemen of the court, particularly female members of the royal family.

William IV issued no royal family order, choosing to give other jewellery as tokens of his esteem.

Since the accession of Edward VII the badge of the order consists of a portrait of the sovereign set in diamonds, and is suspended from a ribbon formed into a bow.

The reverse, in silver-gilt, is patterned with rays and depicts the royal cypher and St Edward's Crown in gold and enamel.

[1] Charles III's order debuted on 25 June 2024, when Queen Camilla wore it at a state banquet in honour of the Emperor and Empress of Japan.

[3] Those who served as Mistress of the Robes to Elizabeth II received a badge of office, which was distinct from the Royal Family Order but designed along similar lines: a jewelled royal cypher, worn on a yellow ribbon;[citation needed] it was worn on state occasions and at other events, as appropriate.

The Queen's other ladies-in-waiting wore their own distinctive badge: a jewelled letter 'E' within an oval frame, worn on a pink silk ribbon.

Insignia of the Royal Family Order of Elizabeth II
The insignia of ladies of the first class of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert
The insignia of ladies of the second class of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert.
The insignia of ladies of the third class of the Order of Victoria and Albert.
Queen Elizabeth II wearing the royal family orders of King George V (her grandfather) and King George VI (her father) in 2006. The star and collar are a Brazilian decoration, the Order of the Southern Cross .