List of knights grand cross of the Royal Victorian Order appointed by Edward VII facts for kids
The Royal Victorian Order is a special award given by the King or Queen of the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth realms. It's like a medal of honor that the monarch gives out personally. It's for people who have done great things to help the monarchy, the Royal Household, members of the royal family, or who have helped organize big royal events.
This order was officially started on April 23, 1896, by Queen Victoria. It had five different levels, and the highest was called Knight Grand Cross (GCVO). If you received this, you usually became a knight, which meant you could use "Sir" before your name. However, people from other countries who received it usually got an "honorary" award, which didn't make them a knight in the same way.
There was no limit to how many people could receive this award. King Edward VII, who ruled from 1901 to 1910, gave out many of these honors. He appointed 97 Knights Grand Cross. He also gave 239 honorary Knights Grand Cross awards to people from other countries.
Of the 97 main awards, 6 went to members of his own family. Three were given to Indian princes. One was an archbishop, and many others were important leaders or military officers. For example, General Sir John French and Admiral John Fisher, 1st Baron Fisher received this high honor. Even Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, who had been Prime Minister three times, was honored.
The honorary awards went to people from many different countries. These included 55 Germans, 26 Austro-Hungarians, and people from Spain, Denmark, Sweden, France, Portugal, Italy, Russia, Greece, Japan, Norway, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Ottoman Empire, China, Egypt, Persia, and Thailand. Many of these were kings or future kings, like the King of Greece and the future kings of Norway and Denmark. Some were also important politicians, military leaders, and diplomats from these countries.
Who Did King Edward VII Appoint?
King Edward VII honored many people during his reign. Here are some examples of those who received the highest level of the Royal Victorian Order, the Knight Grand Cross:
- Family Members:
* Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein (from Denmark/Germany/UK) was one of Queen Victoria's personal aides. * Captain Adolphus, Duke of Teck (UK) was an officer and Queen Mary's younger brother. * Charles Edward, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (German Empire) was Queen Victoria's grandson. (This was an honorary award.) * Prince Carl of Denmark (Denmark), who later became King Haakon VII of Norway, was married to the King's youngest daughter. (This was an honorary award.) * Prince Louis of Battenberg (UK) was a personal naval aide to the King.
- Important Officials and Leaders:
* John Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll (UK) was the Governor of Windsor Castle. * Sir Francis Knollys (UK) was the King's Private Secretary. * Sir James Reid (UK) was the Royal Family's doctor. * Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury (UK) was the Prime Minister. He received the award for his long and valuable service. * Henry Fitzalan-Howard, 15th Duke of Norfolk (UK) was the Earl Marshal, a very important ceremonial role. * Nathan Rothschild, 1st Baron Rothschild (UK) was a Lord Lieutenant, a representative of the monarch in a county. * Randall Davidson (UK) was the Archbishop of Canterbury, a leading church figure. * General Sir Sir John French (UK) was a military commander. * Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Fisher (UK) was a top naval officer.
- People from Other Countries (Honorary Awards):
* Count Paul Wolff Metternich (German Empire) was the German Ambassador to the UK. * George I, King of the Hellenes (Greece) was the King of Greece. * Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark (Denmark) was the future King of Denmark. * Grand Duke Michael Mikhailovich of Russia (Russian Empire) was a member of the Russian imperial family. * Maha Vajiravudh, Crown Prince of Siam (Thailand) was the Crown Prince of Thailand. * Émile Combes (France) was the President of the Council in France. * Paul Cambon (France) was the French Ambassador to the UK. * Agenor Maria Adam, Count Gołuchowski von Goluchowo (Austria-Hungary) was the Minister for Foreign Affairs. * Boutros Ghali (Egypt) was the Minister for Foreign Affairs in Egypt. * Viscount Hayashi Tadasu (Japan) was the Japanese Ambassador to the UK. * Ferdinand, Prince of Bulgaria (Bulgaria) was the Prince of Bulgaria. * Manuel, Duke of Beja (Portugal), who later became King Manuel II of Portugal. * Fridtjof Nansen (Norway) was the Norwegian Envoy to the UK, and also a famous explorer. * Antonio Maura y Montaner (Spain) was the Prime Minister of Spain. * Komura Jutarō (Japan) was the Japanese Emperor's Ambassador to the UK. * Pyotr Arkadyevich Stolypin (Russian Empire) was the Prime Minister of Russia. * Lord Li Jingfang (China) was the Chinese Ambassador to the UK.
These awards were often given during important royal visits, state events, or to recognize long and loyal service to the Crown.
See also
- List of knights grand cross of the Royal Victorian Order appointed by Victoria
