Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (in English, The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; OBE) is an order of chivalry founded on June 4, 1917 by King George V.
History
The appointments are made on the recommendation of the Governments of the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth kingdoms. By convention, female judges of the Supreme Court of England and Wales are automatically ladies commanders. The judges are Knights Bachelor.
The British monarch is the sovereign of the Order and is the one who appoints the other members of it. The next most important member is the grand master, currently vacant after the death of Philip of Edinburgh. Additionally, the Order has six officers: the prelate (the bishop of London, third most senior bishop in the Anglican Church), the dean (always the dean of St. Paul's Cathedral, London), the king of arms, the registrar, also the secretary and the usher of the Red Seal.
Between 1957 and 1974 it was decided that orders awarded for bravery would have two silver oak leaves on the chevrons, but this was abandoned when the Queen's Gallantry Medal was established.
On certain occasions, the sovereign designates a Collar Day, during which members may wear the Order's collar over their uniform or ceremonial dress. The necklaces are returned to the sovereign after the death of the recipient, although the rest of the insignia can be kept.
Since 1960 the chapel of the Order has been located in the crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral in London; The services are carried out in the main nave.
The first two ranks involve entering the knighthood and use the prefixes Sir or Dame. In addition, those decorated with a grand cross can hang their heraldic banner in the Order's chapel. If you have it, you can add the ring (a circle with the motto) and the necklace to yours. Knight Commanders and Commanders can wear the ring on their shield, but not the necklace. The badge hangs from the necklace or ring.
Honorary knights can be created if they are not British citizens. In that case, they can use the corresponding post-nominal, but not the prefix.
Grades
The Order comprises five classes in each of its two divisions: civil and military. The Order consists of the following degrees:
- Grand Cross of Knight or Grand Cross of Lady of the Order of the British Empire (GBE)
- Commander Knight (KBE) or Commander Lady of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
- Official of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
The Order is limited to 100 in the grand cross class, and comprises approximately 845 knight commanders and 8960 commanders. There are no limits on the other classes, but only 858 officers and 1,464 members can be appointed per year.
Clothes and insignia
Great occasions
Meetings of the Order or coronations:
- The layer: Lucida by the knights and ladies of the great cross, made in pink satin with lines in gray pearl. On the left side is embroidered the star.
- The necklace: Lucid nothing but for the knights and ladies of the great cross, is made of gold. It consists of six medallions with the royal shield, alternated with six medallions with the royal monogram. The medallions are joined by gold threads that hold loins and crowns. The badge hangs the necklace.
Other occasions
- The Star: An eight-point star for the members Gran Cruz and four-pointed for the members Comendadores. It is made in silver, and in the middle it has a red ring with the motto of the Order (For God and the Empire / For God and for the Empire). Originally, in the center the image of Britania appeared, but since 1937 the images of Jorge V and Queen Mary appeared.
- The badge: It's the only badge that all members look like. It is a patoned cross, with the same central medallion as the star on the reverse and Jorge V's real monogram on the reverse. On the upper arm of the cross there is an imperial crown. It varies in size according to the class, and for the Knights of the Great Cross classes, Knights Commendants and Diners is of blue sky enamel with the ring in red; that of Officers is golden and that of Member is in silver.
It is supported by a pink braid with pearl gray tips. The military division also has a central pearl gray stripe.