The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

• Date of Institution: 1917
• Ranks: Five
  • Knight (or Dame) Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire – G.B.E.
  • Knight (or Dame) Commander of the Order of the British Empire – K.B.E. (or D.B.E.)
  • Commander of the Order of the British Empire – C.B.E.
  • Officer of the Order of the British Empire – O.B.E.
  • Member of the Order of the British Empire – M.B.E.
• Motto: For God and the Empire;
• Insignia:
  • Badge: A cross, enamelled pearl, surmounted by the Imperial crown. At the centre of the cross is a gold medallion bearing the crowned effigies of Their late Majesties King George V and Queen Mary. The O.B.E.’s badge is in silver gilt and the M.B.E.’s silver.
  • Riband: Rose-pink edged with grey – 4" wide for Knights Grand Cross and 2¼" for Dames Grand Cross. Knights Grand Cross in the Military division (but not Dames) have an additional grey stripe (¼“) in the centre of the riband;
  • Star: Of chipped silver rays of eight points in the centre of which is a gold medallion as in the badge;
  • Collar: In silver gilt, of six medallions of the Royal Arms and of six medallions of the Royal and Imperial cypher of His late Majesty King George V alternately, linked with cables bearing the Imperial crown between two sea-lions. G.B.E.s have one badge only which must be transferred between riband and collar as necessary;
  • Mantle: Rose-pink satin lined with pearl-grey silk;
    • Cordon: Pearl-grey;
    • Tassels: Rose-pink and silver;
    • Embroidered badge: A representation of the star of a Knight Grand Cross;
  • Hood: This order has no hood;
  • Hat: This order has no hat.
• Size of Order:
• Chapel: In the crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral
• Officers:
  • Grand Master;
  • Prelate (The Lord Bishop of London);
  • King of Arms;
  • Registrar;
  • Secretary;
  • Gentleman Usher of the Purple Rod;
  • Dean (The Dean of St Paul’s);

• Comments: Women have been eligible for the Order since its foundation. There have been military and civil divisions since 1918. The insignia and dress of this Order were much changed in 1937 by the new Grand Master, Her late Majesty Queen Mary.

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• References
  • Link to the Royal Family’s web site – includes a photograph of a G.B.E.’s badge from the 1917 to 1939 period.
  • Hood (1973)
  • Galloway (1996)

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