Order of the Crown of India
The Imperial Order of the Crown of India is a British order that was founded on January 1st, 1878 by Queen Victoria as Empress of India and upon acceptance of this title.
The order, which is reserved exclusively for women, has not been awarded since India and Pakistan gained independence in 1947, but it still exists. Holders of the badge of honor are limited to British princesses, wives or female relatives of the Indian princes or wives or female relatives of the holders of the following offices:
- Viceroy of India
- Governor General of India
- Governor of Madras
- Governor of Bombay
- Governor of Bengal
- Secretary of State for India
- Commander-in-Chief in India
The bearers of the order, the so-called Companions , are allowed to add the letters "CI" (so-called "post nominals") after their names, but no other privileges are granted to them. They are also allowed to wear the medal, which also includes the letters VRI ( Victoria Regina Imperatrix ). The letters and a frame that represents the crown are made of diamonds and pearls.
The order consists of a gold oval, richly set with pearls, which encloses the letters "VRI", V in diamonds, R in pearls and I in turquoises; the whole is dominated by the Indian crown. The ribbon is light blue with white stripes and is worn in a bow with the medal on the left breast.
Famous order bearers
The last two orders of the Indian crown were in June 1947 by King George VI. to his two daughters Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) and her sister, Princess Margaret . After Margaret's death, Elizabeth II is the last surviving bearer of the order.
Other famous bearers of the order are:
- Alexandra of Denmark , The Princess of Wales (1878)
- Alice of Great Britain and Ireland (1878)
- Beatrice of Great Britain and Ireland (1878)
- Helen of Great Britain and Ireland (1878)
- Louise, Duchess of Argyll (1878)
- Marija Alexandrovna Romanowa (1878)
- Victoria of Great Britain and Ireland (1878)
- Mary Adelaide of Cambridge (1878)
- Louise of Great Britain and Ireland (1887)
- Maria von Teck (1889)
- Marie of Edinburgh (1897)
- Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon , later Queen Mother (1931) and last Empress of India
- Alice, Duchess of Gloucester (1937)
- Marina, Duchess of Kent (1937)
- Lady Edwina Mountbatten , last Viceroy of India (1947)
The medal was given to more than 100 women.
