| Royal Victorian Chain | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Decoration |
| Awarded for | At the monarch's pleasure |
| Presented by | The monarch of the Commonwealth realms |
| Eligibility | Men and women, of any nation |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | 1902 |
| First awarded | 1902 |
| Last awarded | 2021 |
 | |
The Royal Victorian Chain is a decoration instituted in 1902 by King Edward VII as a personal award of the monarch (i.e. not an award made on the advice of any Commonwealth realm government). It ranks above the Royal Victorian Order,[1] with which it is often associated but not officially related. Originally reserved for members of the royal family, the chain is a distinct award conferred only upon the highest dignitaries, including foreign monarchs, heads of state, and high-ranking individuals such as the Archbishop of Canterbury.[2]
- ^ "Birthday Honours – A Long List – Five New Peers – Many Baronets And Knights". The Times. 4 June 1917. p. 9.
An interesting honour is that awarded to Lord Rosebery, upon whom the King has conferred the Royal Victorian Chain, the highest class of the Royal Victorian Order.
- ^ Duckers, Peter (2004). British Orders and Decorations. Osprey Publishing. p. 40. ISBN 9780747805809.