Order of the Crown of India facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Imperial Order of the Crown of India |
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|---|---|
The insignia of the Imperial Order of the Crown
of India |
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| Awarded by the British monarch | |
| Type | Order of Chivalry |
| Eligibility | British princesses, wives or female relatives of Indian princes |
| Status | Last appointment in 1947 Dormant order since 2022 |
| Sovereign | Charles III |
| Post-nominals | CI |
 Ribbon of the order |
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The Imperial Order of the Crown of India was a special award in the British honours system. It was created by Queen Victoria in 1878 when she became the Empress of India. This award was only given to women. No new members have been added since India became independent in 1947.
The Order was meant for British princesses and female relatives of Indian princes. It was also given to the wives or female relatives of important British officials in India, such as:
- The Viceroy of India (the highest British official in India)
- Governors of major Indian regions like Madras, Bombay, and Bengal
- The Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in India
- The Secretary of State for India (a top government official in Britain who handled Indian affairs)
History of the Order
The Order of the Crown of India was started by Queen Victoria in 1878. It was created to honor women who had a connection to India, no matter their social standing. However, most of the time, it was given to royal family members, wives of important noblemen, wives of Indian rulers, and wives of British officials working in India.
This Order was one of the few special awards that were only for women. Other examples include the Order of Victoria and Albert and the Royal Family Order.
Some of the last women to receive this award were Queen Elizabeth II (who was then Princess Elizabeth) and her sister Princess Margaret. Their father, King George VI, gave them the award in June 1947.
By the end of the 20th century, only four people who had received the award were still alive. These were Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, and Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester. Princess Alice was the last regular member when she passed away in 2004.
When Queen Elizabeth II, the last person to hold the award, died in 2022, the Order officially became inactive. This means it is no longer given out.
What the Award Looked Like
Members of the Order could use the letters "CI" after their names. This showed they were part of the Order. However, it did not give them any special rank or status.
The award itself was a special badge. It featured Queen Victoria's royal symbol, "VRI." These letters stood for Victoria Regina Imperatrix, which means "Victoria, Queen and Empress." The letters were made of diamonds, pearls, and turquoises.
The letters were surrounded by a border of pearls. Above them was a figure of the Imperial Crown. The badge was worn on the left shoulder. It was attached to a light blue ribbon with white edges, shaped like a bow.
Who Received the Award
The Imperial Order of the Crown of India was given to many important women. These included British princesses, wives of Viceroys, and female relatives of Indian rulers. For example, Alexandra, Princess of Wales (who later became Queen) received it in 1878. Other early recipients included Indian queens and princesses, like Sultan Shah Jahan, Begum of Bhopal.
Later, in 1947, Princess Elizabeth (who became Queen Elizabeth II) and Princess Margaret were among the last to receive this special honor.
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