The British Royal Family Orders

#royalfamily #honours #insignia #royaltradition
In this video I explore the history of the Royal Family Orders that the late Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Camilla, the Princess of Wales and female members of the British royal family wore or wear. The wearing of these is a recent tradition, relatively speaking, around two hundred years old and in this video, I explain when and how this tradition began, and I look at the various family orders bestowed over the course of the past two centuries.
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[@snoozieq4584]

If you take away the gold, diamonds and pearls, these badges are so beautiful and simplistic in their base creation. Queen Elizabeth II with her order coupled with the yellow ribbon, to me, signifies her so well as being a ray of sunshine for the Commonwealth as a whole. Thank you so much for this insightful video regarding the Orders. They are truly works of art and stunning to behold the detail of the miniatures. I hope you and all have a Merry Christmas! 🥰🤗😘

[@albertsmyth9616]

Fascinating, thank you. I have often wondered about these family orders and now I am much better informed thanks to you. I do hope King Charles III continues the tradition.

[@tek5692]

We will continue to wait and see if King Charles will continue this tradition, and I certainly hope he will. Did you notice at the last Diplomatic Reception that Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales both wore their Family Order slightly differently? The ribbon was not hanging down under the miniature, but looked to be folded up inside the bow. I thought this may be preparation for Charles to debut his Family Order with a more old-fashioned ribbon, like those of Edward VII and previous monarchs.

[@RoyalTravelEvents]

One of the Royal Reporters wrote at that time that there will be A Family Order of King Charles but it isn't ready yet

[@baylorsailor]

I won't be surprised if his is very similar to Edward VII, as he has always been fascinated with that particular ancestor.

[@tek5692]

@@baylorsailor I certainly hope so, as I think Edward VII's order was very pretty.

[@theeNappy]

I'm not sure if he will, he seems to be very concerned with toning down the monarchy's authentation (as much as that's even possible), and "I got you a gift, it's a bejeweled portrait of myself, only members of the family get them and they're ranked" is about as autentatious as it gets.

[@dmvtrekscifichick6505]

Will you do a video explaining the Order of the Thistle? I really enjoyed the one that explained the order of the garter and was hoping you would explain the other orders. What happens to the British Family Orders after the recipient dies? What happens to the badges?

[@baraxor]

Because these Royal Family Orders are purely dynastic in nature, and are made at the Sovereign's own (i.e. Privy Purse) expense, they are not required to be returned like the insignia of the Orders of Chivalry; they are a personal gift of the Sovereign to the recipient. At least that's how I understand it.

[@davidd6171]

I finally became a member of your KZbin channel Allan! I'll be binge-watching all the member videos over the next week or so!

[@TerryC69]

Hi Allan! I was completely unaware of the Family Orders until today. You've unlocked yet another door for me.

[@jamieryman]

Love this! Hope KC3 keeps it up (& Prince Wills too). Think it's a nice way to say ty to loyal royals.

[@stepps511]

What a wonderful video! Thank you, Allan! Once again, a very Happy Christmas to you, and to your family!

[@jilltagmorris]

Oh this is something I have wondered about. Thank you so much Dr.! Another great episode.

[@ludovica8221]

wow they are lovely! I found that so interesting

[@michaelhope8899]

Utterly fascinating. Thank you

[@vinceplatini]

Very interesting! It’s the first time I heard about this order. Thanks and Merry Christmas! 🎄

[@PumpernickelBagels]

Thank you for making this video! I've been watching a lot of content about the British royal family lately and had wondered what these badges were.

[@acey850]

This has been very informative and I am thrilled to see King Charles III’s version of this. I wonder how he as a modern monarch with his environmental sensibilities will influence changes to it such as using better sourced diamonds or maybe lab-grown stones.

[@annettewillis2797]

Thank you for explaining these miniature works of art. It is so interesting that the custom had its origins in a fashion trend of the day. It will be interesting to see if King Charles does continue it but as you observed it is well past his coronation so perhaps it will end with the late Queen. Thanks again Allan. Deeply fascinating as always.

[@lsmith9249]

@annettewillis2797 these orders will cost thousands and Allen should know there is a cost of living crisis going on, and it is not well past the coronation it was only 7 months ago and this tradition is not set in stone its a personal gift from our Monarch

[@kellyvaters1689]

There is also the matter of how the diamonds would be sourced and, of course, who would be entitled to receive the Order. Camilla and Catherine (and Charlotte, in due course) would receive it, of course, as would his nieces Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. However, he has two nieces who may not qualify due to their rank; Lady Louise is styled solely as the daughter of a peer (albeit, a Royal Duke), while Zara Tindall has no title at all. Then there is the touchy subject of the Duchess of Sussex. He may be generous with the Order and give it to all who are in the Royal Family regardless of rank or relationship (which might include Sarah, Duchess of York), but in the cost-of-living crisis and given the King's desire not to foment any further scandal or conflict, he may opt not to continue the practice at all.

[@lsmith9249]

@@kellyvaters1689 you are showing your ignorance, the diamonds do not have to be sourced and non working female royals are not entitled and Sarah is no longer a member of the royal family

[@williamevans9426]

I've always admired these miniature works of art and your explanation is most welcome! I notice that HRH The Princess Margaret apparently wore four family orders. Those of her grandfather (King George V), her father (King George VI) and, of course, of her sister (Queen Elizabeth II) account for three but what of the fourth? Clearly, HM The Queen could not award her order to herself but one would think she would have had the same additional three as her sister.

[@allanbarton]

The fourth is the imperial order of the crown of India. An order founded by Queen Victoria and given to women and Indian royal ladies. It deserves another video.

[@williamevans9426]

@@allanbartonThank you so much for your reply, especially at such a late hour! With very best wishes for a happy and peaceful Christmas to you and all the Barton family.

[@johnwhitehead4446]

The best account by far I have seen of the Royal Family Order. I hope and trust it will continue under the King. Perhaps it was distributed this past Christmas and we shall see it at the next State Banquet.

[@wuzzlebottom]

Thank you for the instruction. I had no idea they were so intricate and beautiful. Have a Merry Christmas.

[@maryloumawson6006]

Very interesting content. But it makes me even more curious about these "Family Orders." Does it signify official "working" members of the Royal family? Or is it just something of an exclusive club? Many of the recipients appear to be wearing more than one Order, so is it meant to signify longevity in service to the crown? Is the fact that some members received the Order upon their Confirmation meant to denote a religious designation? What happens to the Orders when the recipient passes? Are their heirs entitled to wear it? It would seem not, but then, are they destined to take up space in drawer, or do they revert to the Crown? You've done great work researching this subject. I have always wondered about these ornaments seen on the royals. As an American, I have no frame of reference for categorizing these types of insignia in mind experience. Do they end up in a museum?

[@pamburt]

I’m no expert but I’d guess that as these orders are personal gifts from the Sovereign, they are retained by the family of the recipient as heirlooms. They don’t form part of the Crown Estate so they wouldn’t go on public exhibition or in a museum being personal items of jewellery.

[@baylorsailor]

Very interesting! You're a wonderful wealth of knowledge ☺️🙌

[@bevinboulder5039]

Very interesting! Odd that Charles hasn't bestowed family orders yet. I guess we'll see in the future.

[@EllenCFarmGirl]

Very fascinating…always wondered ❤❤❤

[@betttrbeth]

Very interesting. I wondered why they wore those.

[@melissarybb]

Wonderful! Never knew they existed

[@lynnbarclay4241]

I hope King Charles continues the tradition of family orders, but I think I night prefer the smaller ribbon as seen on the Danish royal family or possibly change the shape of the bow to a smaller version of the Swedish royal family.

[@AmynAL]

Fascinating video. Thanks so much.

[@davisd_ambly4067]

Lovely, Allan.

[@sandyfeet9502]

THANK YOU so much for this FABULOUS video!! It was something that had always been hidden in plain view that I often wondered about, and its history. I do hope that this marvelous tradition continues well into future generations of sovereigns.

[@allanbarton]

So do I! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@edronc2007]

How lovely. Thank you!

[@pauljohnstone6129]

An interesting video I didn't realise that there were so many different sizes of the insignia. I have handled at least four of these badges many years ago, as far as type: GeorgeV, George VI, and Elizabeth II and although my personal records were unfortunately destroyed in the first decade of this century I remember during the 1970's repairing the King George V badge belonging to the now late Princess Margaret.

[@afirmrose]

Thank you I always wondered what the pictures were and meant that they wore.

[@9er..]

You’ve led me down another rabbit hole of wonderful information! Forgive me if you’ve covered this topic but have you ever thought of producing research on the royal families sashes? What I’m most curious about is the brooch that is often seen on the back of the late Queen’s garter sash( possibly others as well).

[@baraxor]

Do you mean the badge at the end of the Garter sash (riband)? That's the Lesser George, the oval "mini" badge worn in substitution for the large Great George badge that hangs from the collar chain at Garter ceremonies.

[@9er..]

@@baraxor Thanks for your help! I wasn’t referring to anything at the end of the shash itself. What I’m curious about is the diamond brooch like piece of jewelry that is sometimes seen on the back of the late Queen’s Garter shash. It usually located between somewhere between the shoulder blades. The few times I’ve seen it were on video and it seems no pic is available.

[@baraxor]

@@9er.. It appears that the Queen's dressers used one of Her Majesty's brooches to pin the sash to the dress, I imagine to ensure that the sash doesn't slip off her shoulder . These brooches are personal pieces of jewelry and are not part of any Order.

[@fukeonglai7202]

I remembered a funny incident where the Thai mistaked it as a King of Thailand's badges.Given that both Monarchies has similar tradition.

[@Thauan..]

I am Brazilian 🇧🇷 but fascinated with the British monarchy!

[@umbertotoni3021]

outro aqui.

[@EdMcF1]

O Brasil foi um imperio no siglo 19, a casa de Bragança tem também uma historia interessante.

[@alisonridout]

Great video

[@mariavilaneidevieiracosta5450]

Fascinating, thank you for all explanation. GOD bless you 🙏🙌🙏🙌🙏🙌👑👏👑👏👑👏👑👏👑👏👑👏👑👏👑👏👑👏👑👏👑👏👑👑👏

[@allanbarton]

God bless you too, glad you found the video interesting!

[@elizabethmcglothlin5406]

No wonder they are fairly clanking on formal occaisions.

[@JonathanLight1]

I hope he does continue this nice tradition

[@baraxor]

In the 18th century, the ladies in waiting serving at court in France and Russia wore jeweled brooches in the form of the monogram of their mistress. This eventually became their badge of office, in the same way that the old-fashioned warded key is the badge of the Lord Chamberlain. The third and fourth classes of the Order of Victoria and Albert featured Victoria's cipher rather than the cameo, and they were intended for wear by her ladies in waiting (Third Class for noble ladies; Fourth Class for commoners). The badge of the Mistress of the Robes for Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother when she Queen Consort featured a miniature portrait of the queen.

[@pixbychris3182]

Another lovely video. On a different note I heard the King's Champion Francis Dimmock has recently passed away.

[@allanbarton]

Sadly so, his wife posted it up on Facebook. It is a great shame, he was not that old and a lovely man. I was going to interview him for the channel.

[@frippp66]

11:45 Princess Margaret there looking as if she is just thinking of something wildly inappropriate & funny to say

[@christinesuccop1812]

So interesting. I did not know the history of the Family Orders. I hope King Charles carries on the tradition and we see one soon. I'll go out on a limb and predict the color may be blue 💙

[@baylorsailor]

Blue and/or green.

[@EarlyMusicDiva]

@@baylorsailor I agree, green seems likely to me.

[@joanbonnet8229]

Well done

[@stacias.3830]

A simple and beautiful tradition. I hope King Charles decides to continue it. It would be a pity to see it lapse after all this time.

[@SafetySpooon]

I can well imagine His majesty does NOT want to seem extravagant or frivolous, so he may stop it, but I would hope he would continue it as a *tradition*. He can always use less costly materials.

[@dianapatterson1559]

Interesting as always. But I am curious about those first white ribbons which had brownish stains. Is this the result of the silk-making process in the UK at the time, do you know? These marks look as though light or ambient gasses have made the change.

[@allanbarton]

I suspect that is simply age and the way they've been stored over the years.

[@Rose_K.]

Has Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh been given the late Queen’s order?

[@alfhilda]

I dunno I dunno…. As someone who is from a country that has a president and not a royal family, I’m a bit conflicted. They’re beautiful and expensive pieces (all those diamonds!), but at the same time a bit ”Hey I’m so important, here’s a small picture of me in a diamond frame so you can pin it on your best gown when there are important occasions”, sort of Me Me Me Me selfishness? I don’t know. Very conflicted. Like, if they want to give jewelry to their children/cousins/children-in-law, why not choose something personal, fitting just for that person? ”My new daughter-in-law has such skin and hair tone, that this ruby set in gold enhances her beauty, so I shall give this beautiful brooch”

[@DaleDix]

When you only have a flag to salute I guess you don't understand.

[@richardring272]

Upon seeing this title on your video It crossed my mind it had been released because the Family Order of Charles lll had been issued. Sadly I was wrong. It will however, fuel the question of why it's taking so long for his Order to be arranged. We still have White tie and tiaras for State banquets etc unlike France for example so it's not like the idea has gone out of fashion. The Order of Elizabeth ll continues to be worn so I don't think the King wants to abolish the whole idea of a Family Order. Question: How much does a Family Order cost? The Star of Garter has to be returned to the crown after the death of an incumbent. One would have thought that the Coronation would have been the exact time to issue to he Charles lll Order. Perhaps the first anniversary of the Coronation?

[@genericpersonx333]

You may be hitting on the key thing: Cost. Charles III is somewhat thrifty by nature, always has been, and he seems to be cutting down on extravagances in general. He is reusing a lot of old family property rather than buying new, and when he buys new, it is not half-as-decadent as many Royals have demanded in past. Charles is also clearly trying to not antagonize people. Royal spending has been a sore-point for years, and fewer people will forgive Charles spending money than would have forgiven his Mother for doing the same, because she was just more popular than he is. He is not as hated as many expected he would be, but he is still not his Mother and he is smart enough to appreciate that. I also like to think that Charles III is not treating himself as just a seat-warmer because he was so old when he took the throne. He is in good shape for a man in his 70s and so I think he is expecting at least a handful more good years as king, so he is not in a rush to spend money today when he plans on having a tomorrow as well. So I suspect Charles III is spreading out his expenses both for personal and public-relations reasons. Even the simplest Orders would cost some thousands of Pounds, so he doesn't want to blow a huge portion of his budget on orders until he has, well, budgeted for them.

[@mdlspld]

The new order has been released! I hope you do a future video on the order of Charles III!

[@allanbarton]

Yes, all ready to view at 5pm.

[@mdlspld]

Thank you!!!

[@brianlawson363]

It can now be seen that the ribbon to which the order of Her Late Majesty The Queen is attached has been shortened. This could only be done as preparation for the order of His Majesty The King. Great video.

[@dolldoll2914]

👩🏻‍💻Well ... I don't think KCIII would miss His opportunity to have a picture of himself floating around His court.

[@rhiannonpoole6019]

I am ashamed to admit I had never heard of these orders, nor ever noticed them being worn! I know better now, thank you for educating me. They are beautiful little objects, but for me the ribbons are over-heavy and clumsy looking. I don't suppose the Royals care what I think, though......

[@allanbarton]

It is a bit of a niche subject!!! They are beautiful things these insignia, very lovely - however, my favourite must be the one of George IV. I love his bling.

[@tsunamis82]

I had seen them being worn, but did not know what they were. What I saw, was some kind of medal on a piece of fabric which was so out of place with gown being worn. Now I know more.

[@gandalfxld6180]

Correction. Queen Camilla's Royal Family Order from Queen Elizabeth II is size 1, not 2. The King's Royal Family Order should be shown at some point early this year.

[@allanbarton]

Every piece of literature I’ve read say it’s size 2.

[@nadiabrook7871]

💗💞👍🎖🤴👸

[@rachelgreen4510]

I heard King Charles's order is in the making. (The QE II bows were worn only with the top part showing at the last diplomatic banquet by Queen Camilla and Princess Catherine. Supposedly, that's a sign that the next order is on the way.) Maybe he'll give them out during Christmas.

[@geoffmacey8728]

I've read it's in the works

[@petersumner7367]

It's a nice personal touch, but don't think they look very nice on an evening gown, maybe it's just the ribbon, I think The Princess of Wales wore a smaller ribbon last time?

[@jilltagmorris]

Are all of n these accounted for?

[@educanassa100]

Merry christmas, Allan

[@gammamaster1894]

I do hope King Charles will choose to institute an order, I'd very much like to see the portrait as well.

[@mags102755]

As I always say "We Fish Ewe a Mare Egrets Moose Ant a Hippo Gnu Deer". Thanks for this excellent explanation about the Royal Family Orders.

[@isawa6649]

😊

[@tudorrosey76]

I hope that King Charles III continues the tradition! ❤❤

[@robnewman6101]

His Majesty King Edward the VII. Victoria's Son.

[@allanbarton]

Indeed.

[@robnewman6101]

Thanks.

[@christyb2912]

Yellow ribbon was a bad fashion choice, it clashes with everything the princess wears 😉

[@piplebref4607]

The colour is chartreuse and, at a guess, may have worked better with early 1950s clothing?

[@Grenadier_]

Queen Camilla wore the King Charles III’s Family Order for the first time during the state banquet in honor of the Japanese state visit (2024-June-25) Oh yeah, its continuing !

[@allanbarton]

It was wonderful to see - video on it incoming.

[@patriciahughes5592]

Why hasn’t Princess Catherine been awarded the Knights of the Garter?!

[@allanbarton]

She will be in time, but just not yet. The late Queen Mother wasn't appointed until 1936 and Camilla not until the year before last.

[@danielkarmy4893]

George IV giving away portrait miniatures of himself, of all people? He, that man of such humility, that veritable walking pillar of self-effacement? 😳

[@allanbarton]

😂

[@chuckspoke]

Well, guest the rest of us will have make due with just our names being ing written in family Bible.

[@annettemalaski1967]

I believe King Charles will not continue this tradition, or give very limited ones. He has wanted to trim the budget of the monarchy, and this is one way to do so.

[@user-er8dw4kq5p]

🇬🇧👑️👑️🧚‍♂️🎠🥰🤝🐘🐘🐘❤

[@patriciahughes5592]

Why isn't Catherine a member of the order?!

[@allanbarton]

She does have the family order of Elizabeth II.

[@nokomarie1963]

How nicely nonjudgemental.

[@AK-xu5sj]

Nepotism defined!