48-737: Robin Orr Blair , CVO , WS (born 1 January 1940), former Lord Lyon King of Arms of Scotland , is a retired solicitor , and was a partner with Dundas & Wilson CS and later with Turcan Connell . From 1988 until his appointment as Lord Lyon, he held the post of Purse Bearer to the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland . He is a member of the Royal Company of Archers . He
96-473: A blue ring bearing the motto of the order – victoria (victory) – and surmounted by a Tudor crown . However, there are variations on the badge for each grade of the order: Knights and Dames Grand Cross on certain formal occasions (see below) wear the badge suspended from the Order's collar (chain), but otherwise on a sash passing from the right shoulder to the left hip; Knight Commanders and male Commanders wear
144-400: A general rule, individuals can derive precedence from their fathers or husbands, but not from their mothers or wives. appointment age age age Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria was officially celebrated on 22 June 1897 to mark the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria 's accession on 20 June 1837. Queen Victoria was
192-834: A reception in Slough . The celebrations lasted a fortnight and a garden party at Buckingham Palace and a state banquet were held to mark the occasion. Memorial fountains and towers were erected to mark the occasion, including the Jubilee Tower on the moors above Darwen in Lancashire and the Cunningham Clock Tower in Peshawar on the North West Frontier of British India. Alfred Austin and Rudyard Kipling also wrote special poems in honour of
240-414: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This Scottish law -related biographical article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Royal Victorian Order The Royal Victorian Order ( French : Ordre royal de Victoria ) is a dynastic order of knighthood established in 1896 by Queen Victoria . It recognises distinguished personal service to the monarch, members of
288-416: Is in silver. Further, the size of the badge varies by rank, that for the higher classes being larger, and Knights and Dames Grand Cross and Knights and Dames Commander have their crosses surrounded by a star: for the former, an eight-pointed silver star, and for the latter, an eight-pointed silver Maltese cross with silver rays between each arm. The medal bears the effigy and name of the reigning sovereign at
336-597: The Royal Peculiars of St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle and Westminster Abbey are customarily inducted as Knights Commander; clergymen appointed to the higher levels of the Royal Victorian Order do not use the associated styles, however, and honorary members are not permitted to hold them at all. Prior to 1984, the grades of Lieutenant and Member were classified as Members (fourth class) and Members (fifth class) , respectively, but both with
384-623: The lieutenant governors . The practice of notifying the Prime Minister of Canada of nominees ended in 1982, to distance the order as far from politics as possible. It was reported in 2008 that some in the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall wished to eliminate the Royal Victorian Order from the Canadian honours system and sometimes contested when a Canadian was appointed; however, no formal changes were ever planned. In Canada,
432-419: The 18th century and were not restored to the personal gift of the sovereign until 1946 and 1947, respectively ). Queen Victoria thus established on 21 April 1896 the Royal Victorian Order as a junior and personal order of knighthood that allowed her to bestow directly to an empire-wide community honours for personal services. The organisation was founded a year before Victoria's Diamond Jubilee , so as to give
480-647: The British Empire proposed by Joseph Chamberlain , who promoted the idea of a global celebration fit for a monarch ruling over 450 million people. The day was declared a bank holiday in Britain, Ireland and India. The British Army and Royal Navy as well as troops from Canada, India, Africa and the South Pacific took part in the procession in London. The Queen telegraphed a message to all nations in
528-660: The British Empire: "From my heart I thank my beloved people. May God bless them." At 11:15 am, the Queen, along with Princess Helena and the Princess of Wales , took part in the parade in an open carriage from Buckingham Palace to St Paul's Cathedral , where thanksgiving service took place. Seventeen other carriages carrying members of the royal family followed her. Eleven colonial prime ministers were in attendance: Suffering from severe arthritis and unable to climb
SECTION 10
#1732801942511576-454: The Faith), and Ind. Imp. ( Empress of India ). The chain supports a larger octagonal medallion with a blue enamel surface edged in red and charged with a saltire , over which is an effigy of Queen Victoria; members of the order suspend from this medallion their insignia as a badge apendant . Though after the death of a Knight or Dame Grand Cross their insignia may be retained by their family,
624-559: The King's Chapel of the Savoy is ex officio the Chaplain to the Royal Victorian Order. The current incumbent is Canon Thomas Woodhouse. Membership in the Royal Victorian Order is conferred by the monarch without ministerial advice on those who have performed personal service for the sovereign. Foreign members will generally be admitted as honorary members of the Royal Victorian Order when
672-797: The King; the Registrar, held by the Secretary to the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood ; the Chaplain , held by the Chaplain of the King's Chapel of the Savoy ; and the Genealogist . Thereafter follow those honoured with different grades of the order, divided into five levels: the highest two conferring accolades of knighthood and all having post-nominal letters and, lastly,
720-485: The Queen time to complete a list of first inductees. The order's official day was made 20 June of each year, marking the anniversary of Queen Victoria's accession to the throne. In 1902, King Edward VII created the Royal Victorian Chain "as a personal decoration for royal personages and a few eminent British subjects" and it was the highest class of the Royal Victorian Order. It is today distinct from
768-482: The Queen. People across Canada staged their own jubilee celebrations in honour of the Queen; Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier led the Canadian delegation to the festivities in London. Laurier was knighted by the Queen in London on 21 June, and was made a Knight Grand Cross in the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George . The Canadian cavalry led the colonial procession in the parade
816-409: The Savoy chapel can no longer accommodate the gathering of members held every four years, and St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle is now employed for the event. The Sovereign and Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the order are allotted stalls in the Savoy chapel's choir, and on the back of each stall is affixed a brass plate displaying the occupant's name, coat of arms , and date of admission into
864-483: The badge on a ribbon at the neck; male Lieutenants and Members wear the badge from a ribbon on the left chest; and women in all grades below Dame Grand Cross wear the badge on a bow pinned at the left shoulder. For Knights and Dames Grand Cross, Commanders, and Lieutenants, the Maltese cross is rendered in white enamel with gold edging, while that for Knights and Dames Commander (on the star) and Members (the badge itself)
912-735: The close of the 19th century, most general honours within the British Empire were bestowed by the sovereign on the advice of her British ministers , who sometimes forwarded advice from ministers of the Crown in the Dominions and colonies (appointments to the then most senior orders of chivalry, the Order of the Garter and the Order of the Thistle , had been made on ministerial advice since
960-404: The collar must be returned. Knights and Dames Grand Cross also wear a mantle of dark blue satin edged with red satin and lined with white satin, bearing a representation of the order's star on the left side. Since 1938, the chapel of the Royal Victorian Order has been the King's Chapel of the Savoy , in central London , England . However, the population of the order has grown to the point that
1008-421: The first British monarch ever to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee. Queen Victoria surpassed her grandfather King George III as the longest-reigning British monarch on 23 September 1896, an event that she marked privately at Balmoral Castle . She wrote in her journal, "People wished to make all sorts of demonstrations, which I asked them not to do until I had completed the sixty years next June." The Diamond Jubilee
SECTION 20
#17328019425111056-538: The following day as Laurier followed in a carriage. They rode five abreast. A group of the Toronto Grenadiers and Royal Canadian Highlanders followed the Prime Minister. The Queen acknowledged the congratulations of Canadians with a message to Governor General Lord Aberdeen : "From my heart I thank my beloved people. May God bless them." Aberdeen responded, "On this, this memorable day, we offer
1104-578: The gift of the monarch, the appointment of Canadians to the order resumed in 1972 and eligibility was extended to those who render services to the monarch's representatives in the country; officials within the provincial spheres being included after 1984. Originally, the sovereign chose inductees personally, though the Governor General of Canada and the Canadian Secretary to the King could provide suggestions, some passed to them by
1152-525: The glad tribute of loyal devotion and affectionate homage. God save and bless the Queen." Canada's gift to Queen Victoria was the establishment of the Victorian Order of Nurses . The Diamond Jubilee was celebrated in towns and communities all over Canada. On the festival of June 22, flags, buntings, and banners decorated the streets and covered buildings during the day. At night, electric lights, Chinese lanterns, fireworks, and massive bonfires lit up
1200-506: The good! Thou crown of queenly womanhood! Thy faithful subjects o'er the sea, Greet thee with tender loyalty! Another distinctive feature of Canadian festivities was their focus on children. There were frequently separate children's Jubilee parades from the "main" Jubilee processions. A "well-disciplined army" of 4,000 children from public schools and an additional 2,000 pupils from private Catholic schools marched in Winnipeg. This scene
1248-654: The group has, since 2008, gathered biennially. As the Royal Victorian Order is open to the citizens of fifteen countries, each with their own system of orders, decorations, and medals, the RVO's place of precedence varies from country to country. Some are as follows: In the United Kingdom, the wives of male members of all classes also feature on the order of precedence, as do sons, daughters and daughters-in-law of Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commanders; relatives of Dames, however, are not assigned any special precedence. As
1296-488: The holders of the Royal Victorian Medal in gold, silver or bronze. Foreigners may be admitted as honorary members. There are no limits to the number of any grade, and promotion is possible. The styles of knighthood are not used by princes, princesses, or peers in the uppermost ranks of the society, save for when their names are written in their fullest forms for the most official occasions. Retiring Deans of
1344-457: The last one of our beloved Liko ! God will surely help me on! How well I remember this day sixty years ago when I was called from my bed by dear Mama to receive the news of my accession! The sixtieth anniversary of her accession was celebrated on 20 June 1897 with a thanksgiving service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle . The occasion was marked publicly two days later by the Festival of
1392-539: The new insignia. The order's ribbon is blue with red-white-red stripe edging, the only difference being that for foreigners appointed into the society, their ribbon bears an additional central white stripe. For Knights Grand Cross, the ribbon is 82.5 millimetres (3.25 in) wide, for Dames Grand Cross 57.1 millimetres (2.25 in), for Knights and Dames Commander 44.4 millimetres (1.75 in), and for all other members 31.7 millimetres (1.25 in). At formal events, or collar days , of which there are 34 throughout
1440-422: The occasion, in addition to renditions of God Save the Queen , The Maple Leaf Forever , and Rule, Britannia! . In Ireland the celebration was protested strongly by Irish nationalists . A protest occurred at City Hall, Dublin attended by Maud Gonne and W.B. Yeats . Another demonstration, a procession led by James Connolly also occurred, which was attended by both Gonne and Yeats. This procession involved
1488-476: The order has come to be colloquially dubbed as the "Royal Visit Order", as the majority of appointments had been made by the then sovereign during her tours of the country . The Royal Victorian Order Association of Canada exists for all Canadians appointed to the order or who have received the Royal Victorian Medal; it is the only such organisation in the Commonwealth realms . Founded by Michael Jackson,
Robin Blair - Misplaced Pages Continue
1536-482: The order's five grades represent different levels of service, as does the medal, which has three levels of service. While all those honoured may use the prescribed styles of the order – the top two grades grant titles of knighthood, and all grades accord distinct post-nominal letters – the Royal Victorian Order's precedence amongst other honours differs from realm to realm and admission to some grades may be barred to citizens of those realms by government policy. Prior to
1584-572: The order, though it is officially issued by the chancery of the Royal Victorian Order. The order was open to foreigners from its inception, with the Prefect of Alpes-Maritimes and the Mayor of Nice being the first foreigners to receive the honour in 1896. The reigning monarch is at the apex of the Royal Victorian Order as its Sovereign, followed by the Grand Master ; the latter position
1632-597: The organisation. Upon the occupant's death, the plate is retained, leaving the stalls festooned with a record of the order's Knights and Dames Grand Cross since 1938. The only heraldic banners normally on display in the chapel are those of the Sovereign of the Royal Victorian Order and of the Grand Master of the Royal Victorian Order as there is insufficient space in the chapel for more knights' and dames' banners or other heraldic devices. The Chaplain of
1680-515: The patriotic vocal works of the Jubilee year combined expressions of Canadian loyalty with effusive panegyrics to Victoria. Roberta Geddes-Harvey , one of Canada's first female composers, composed words and music for Victoria the Rose of England (Canada's Greeting to the Queen on her Diamond Jubilee) : Oh Queen by Millions lov'd and feared! O Empress thro' the world revered; VICTORIA! the great,
1728-508: The post-nominals MVO . On 31 December of that year, Queen Elizabeth II declared that those in the grade of Member (fourth class) would henceforth be Lieutenants with the post-nominals LVO . Upon admission into the Royal Victorian Order, members are given various insignia. Common for all members is the badge, which is a Maltese cross with a central medallion depicting on a red background the Royal Cypher of Queen Victoria surrounded by
1776-417: The retirement after many years of Sir Malcolm Innes of Edingight , who had preceded him as Lord Lyon. In August 2007, Blair intimated his resignation as Lord Lyon. In 2008 his successor, David Sellar , was appointed. Already a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO), he was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in the 2008 Birthday Honours. This heraldry -related article
1824-523: The royal family, or to any viceroy or senior representative of the monarch. The present monarch, King Charles III , is the sovereign of the order. The order's motto is Victoria. The order's official day is 20 June. The order's chapel is the Savoy Chapel in London . There is no limit on the number of individuals honoured at any grade. Admission is at the sole discretion of the monarch. Each of
1872-436: The sky. Jubilee processions took place in almost every populated centre. Newspapers remarked that the Jubilee, like the annual Victoria holiday, brought together Canadians from diverse backgrounds. A Winnipeg journalist wrote that the festivities "showed how patriotism can bind in joyous and fraternal bonds elements of every nation and creed". In Victoria's honour, brand-new music was created, which endured for decades. Many of
1920-566: The sovereign is making a state visit to the individual's country or a head of state is paying a state visit to the United Kingdom. As admission to the top two levels of the organisation provides for an honorary prefix, Canadians are not normally appointed to these levels as long as the monarch's Canadian ministry adheres to the Nickle Resolution of 1919. As it was deemed by the Canadian Cabinet to be an honour within
1968-523: The steps, the Queen remained in her coach, so the short service of thanksgiving was held outside the building. She was joined by the clergy and dignitaries. Victoria returned to Buckingham Palace after touring a large area of London. Later, when reflecting on the occasion Victoria said: No-one ever, I believe, has met with such an ovation as was given to me, passing through those six miles of streets... The crowds were quite indescribable and their enthusiasm truly marvellous and deeply touching. The cheering
Robin Blair - Misplaced Pages Continue
2016-584: The time of its awarding, as well as the phrase DEI • GRATIA • REX (or REGINA) • F.D. (by the grace of God, King (or Queen), Defender of the Faith ), and on the reverse is the Royal Cypher upon an ornamental shield within a laurel wreath . Bars may be awarded to each class of medal for further services, and should recipients be awarded a higher level of medal or be appointed to a grade of the order itself, they may continue to wear their original medal along with
2064-465: The year, such as New Year's Day and royal anniversaries, Knights and Dames Grand Cross wear the Royal Victorian Order's livery collar , consisting of an alternating string of octagonal gold pieces depicting a gold rose on a blue field and gold oblong frames within which are one of four inscriptions: Victoria , Britt. Reg. (Queen of the Britons), Def. Fid. ( fidei defensor , or Defender of
2112-631: Was appointed Lord Lyon by Queen Elizabeth II on 9 February 2001 following a recommendation from Scotland's First Minister Henry McLeish . The role had been publicly advertised beforehand, for the first time in 700 years, and the selection process was overseen, also for the first time, by the Scottish Executive . On 19 February 2007, he became the Honorary President of the Scottish Genealogy Society upon
2160-823: Was created in 1937 and was occupied by Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) from that date until her death in 2002. Queen Elizabeth II then appointed her daughter, Anne, Princess Royal , to the position in 2007. Below the Grand Master are five officials of the organisation: the Chancellor , held by the Lord Chamberlain ; the Secretary , held by the Keeper of the Privy Purse and Treasurer to
2208-476: Was quite deafening and every face seemed to be filled with joy. Thousands of residents in London and Manchester took part in street feasts, where Thomas Lipton distributed free ale and tobacco. A chain of beacons were lit across the United Kingdom and Nottingham , Bradford and Hull were granted their city charter as part of the celebrations. The following day the Queen visited Constitution Hill, London where 10,000 schoolchildren had gathered, and attended
2256-836: Was repeated in cities across the country. One of the largest celebrations took place in Ottawa, where almost 10,000 school children marched to Parliament Hill, all carrying flags. In some centres, the children's concerts were quite extravagant. The Band of the Royal Grenadiers provided musical support for the Festival Chorus of the Toronto School Children's performance at Exhibition Park in Toronto. It featured several well-known patriotic and traditional songs, as well as other pieces created especially for
2304-423: Was therefore an opportunity to celebrate Victoria's status as the longest-reigning monarch, in addition to marking 60 years on the throne. On 20 June 1897, the sixtieth anniversary of her accession, Victoria wrote in her journal: This eventful day, 1897 has opened, and I pray God to help and protect me as He has hitherto done these sixty long eventful years! I feel sad at the new losses I have sustained, especially
#510489