The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George
Founded on April 28th 1818 by George, Prince Regent (George IV), the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George was established on the basis of awarding men and women who have extraordinary effects and do service in foreign countries. It is also awarded for service to the Commonwealth and other related affairs.
The Order is named after two military saints: Saint Michael the Archangel and Saint George of Lydda. It was intended to commemorate the control over the Ionion Islands in 1814, the control of Malta, and Ionion constitution in 1817. The Order was to reward those natives that aided the British in their efforts. When the Ionion Island's merged to become the Kingdom of Greece in 1864, the British revised the order and in 1868 it membership was granted to those who "hold high and confidential offices within Her Majesty's colonial possessions, and in reward for services rendered to the Crown in relation to the foreign affairs of the Empire".
The Order is made up of the British Sovereign who is the Order's Sovereign and this is followed by the Grand Master who was formerly The Lord High Commissioner of the Ionion Islands. It is a position given to someone chosen by the Sovereign. Since 1967, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, has been the Grand Master. The Order originally included 15 Knights Grand Cross, 20 Knights Commanders, and 25 Companions. Several expansions have been made; now, the limits are 125, 375, and 1750, respectively. Members of the Royal Family who are appointed to the Order do not count towards the limit; neither do foreigners appointed as "honorary members". The Prelate, the Chancellor, the Secretary, the Registrar, the King of Arms and the Usher. The Order's King of Arms is not a member of the College of Arms, like many other heraldic officers.
The members of the order also wear elaborate costumes on momentous occasions. The mantle is made of Saxon blue silk lined with crimson satin and the star is worn on the left side whilst the mantle is bordered by two white tassels. This is worn by the Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the Order. The collar is Maltese Crosses with two crowned lions, each hold a book and seven arrows. The ciphers SM and SG are also present on the collar.
The Order was based in Corfu at the residence of the Ionian Lord High Commissioner; the St. Michael and St. George Palace. However, since 1906, St. Paul's Cathedral has housed the Order. Services are held every four years for the whole order, with new Knights and Dames Grand Cross invested. Each Knights and Dames Grand Cross are allotted choir stalls, along with royal members. At the pinnacle of the stall is the helm, topped with the crest and surrounded in mantling. Dames usually don't have a helm or crest under English heraldic law so they can use a coronet if applicable. Above the crest, the banner and coat of arms is also placed. When a member dies, everything but a plate at the back of the stall is removed, so that some record is kept.
The Order is named after two military saints: Saint Michael the Archangel and Saint George of Lydda. It was intended to commemorate the control over the Ionion Islands in 1814, the control of Malta, and Ionion constitution in 1817. The Order was to reward those natives that aided the British in their efforts. When the Ionion Island's merged to become the Kingdom of Greece in 1864, the British revised the order and in 1868 it membership was granted to those who "hold high and confidential offices within Her Majesty's colonial possessions, and in reward for services rendered to the Crown in relation to the foreign affairs of the Empire".
The Order is made up of the British Sovereign who is the Order's Sovereign and this is followed by the Grand Master who was formerly The Lord High Commissioner of the Ionion Islands. It is a position given to someone chosen by the Sovereign. Since 1967, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, has been the Grand Master. The Order originally included 15 Knights Grand Cross, 20 Knights Commanders, and 25 Companions. Several expansions have been made; now, the limits are 125, 375, and 1750, respectively. Members of the Royal Family who are appointed to the Order do not count towards the limit; neither do foreigners appointed as "honorary members". The Prelate, the Chancellor, the Secretary, the Registrar, the King of Arms and the Usher. The Order's King of Arms is not a member of the College of Arms, like many other heraldic officers.
The members of the order also wear elaborate costumes on momentous occasions. The mantle is made of Saxon blue silk lined with crimson satin and the star is worn on the left side whilst the mantle is bordered by two white tassels. This is worn by the Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the Order. The collar is Maltese Crosses with two crowned lions, each hold a book and seven arrows. The ciphers SM and SG are also present on the collar.
The Order was based in Corfu at the residence of the Ionian Lord High Commissioner; the St. Michael and St. George Palace. However, since 1906, St. Paul's Cathedral has housed the Order. Services are held every four years for the whole order, with new Knights and Dames Grand Cross invested. Each Knights and Dames Grand Cross are allotted choir stalls, along with royal members. At the pinnacle of the stall is the helm, topped with the crest and surrounded in mantling. Dames usually don't have a helm or crest under English heraldic law so they can use a coronet if applicable. Above the crest, the banner and coat of arms is also placed. When a member dies, everything but a plate at the back of the stall is removed, so that some record is kept.