Royal Victorian Chain

History

The Royal Victorian Chain was created by King Edward VII in 1902, six years after his mother created the Royal Victorian Order. The Royal Victorian Chain ranks above all decorations of the Royal Victorian Order, but it is not officially part of the Order. Edward created it to honour his mother "as a personal decoration for Sovereigns, Princes, and other Royal personages, and also for a few eminent British subjects." It was first recorded as a new decoration in August 1902, when it was reported that Frederick Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, was received in private audience to receive the Royal Victorian Chain, following the coronation of the King two days earlier. The first recipients included the King's son George, Prince of Wales (later George V) and the King's brother Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn.

Design

The chain is in gold, decorated with motifs of Tudor rose, thistle, shamrock, and lotus flower (symbolizing England, Scotland, Ireland, and India, respectively) and a crowned, red enamelled cypher of King Edward VII—ERI (Edwardus Rex Imperator)—surrounded by a gold wreath for men, upon which the badge is suspended. The chain is worn around the collar by men or with the four motifs and some chain links fixed to a riband in the form of bow (blue with red-white-red edges) on the left shoulder by women. However, Queen Elizabeth II's sister, the late Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, in later life chose to wear her chain around the collar, as male recipients do.

The badge is a gold, white enamelled Maltese Cross; the oval-shaped central medallion depicts Victoria's royal and imperial cypher—VRI (Victoria Regina Imperatrix)—on a red background, surrounded by a crown-surmounted blue ring bearing the word Victoria. Both the crown and Queen Victoria's cypher are studded with diamonds.

Eligibility and allocation

The Royal Victorian Chain does not confer upon its recipients any style, title or postnominal letters, nor does it give precedence within any Commonwealth honours system. However, it represents a personal token of high distinction and esteem from the monarch. The chain can be conferred upon men and women of any nationality.

It has normally served as the senior award for Canadians, who are generally ineligible to receive titular honours under federal Cabinet policy. Only two Canadians have thus far been decorated with the chain: Vincent Massey and Roland Michener, both former governors general.

The Royal Victorian Chain is invariably granted to holders of the office of Archbishop of Canterbury, often just after their retirement. The only holders of that title not to receive the decoration since its inception are William Temple, who died in office, and Justin Welby, who resigned in 2025.

The Royal Victorian Chain must be returned on the death of the recipient.

List of living recipients

References

References

1. (4 June 1917). "Birthday Honours – A Long List – Five New Peers – Many Baronets And Knights". [[The Times]].
2. (2004). "British Orders and Decorations". Osprey Publishing.
3. (12 August 1902). "Court Circular".
4. (2 May 1923). "Honour for Archbishop of York: Royal Victorian Chain". [[The Times]].
5. Christopher McCreery. (2005). "The Canadian honours system". Dundurn Press.
6. "Annex 1".
7. Christopher McCreery. (2008). "On Her Majesty's Service: Royal Honours and Recognition in Canada". Dundurn Press.