Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

Medal - Royal Victorian Order

Subcollections
Orders, Medals and Awards
Overview

The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood established in 1896 by Queen Victoria. It recognises distinguished personal service to the the Australian monarch. Australians may be appointed in one of four grades: Commander (CVO); Lieutenant (LVO); Member (MVO); or Royal Victorian Medal (RVM).
The insignia is a Maltese cross with a central medallion depicting on a red background the Royal Cypher of Queen Victoria surrounded by a blue ring bearing the motto of the order – victoria (victory) – and surmounted by a Tudor crown. The medal bears the effigy and name of the reigning sovereign at 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.

Historical information

Prior to 1975 Australians were recognised through the British Imperial system. By 1991 Australian honours and awards were available to recognise all service previously recognised through the British Imperial system. The monarch can still recognise Australians through the British Imperial system within his/her own gift. The Royal Victorian Order, Order of the Thistle, Order of the Garter and Order of Merit are still regarded as Imperial Honours but as the personal gift of the Sovereign they are also looked upon as Australian Honours if awarded to an Australian. 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.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-32-99-368
Inscriptions and markings

The order's ribbon is blue with red-white-red stripe edging, 31.7 millimetres wide.

Contextual Information

Within the Museum, an example of the insignia of the Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) may be seen on the uniform of Major General Michael Jeffery in the Traditions gallery.

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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Medal - RVO
Medal worn by LVO members of the Royal Victorian Order
RVO Insignia
Insignia of the Royal Victorian Oder currently awarded to Australians
CVO
Major General Jeffery as Governor General wearing the insignia of a Commander of the Royal Victorian Oder (suspended from buttonhole) showing precedence after Companion of the Oder of Australia (neck order)

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