Queen Victoria appointed 19 Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, plus an additional 28 honorary Knights Grand Cross, between the order's institution and her death on 22 January 1901. The Royal Victorian Order is an order of knighthood awarded by the sovereign of the United Kingdom and several Commonwealth realms. It is granted personally by the monarch and recognises personal service to the monarchy, the Royal Household, royal family members, and the organisation of important royal events. It was instituted with five grades, Knight Grand Cross, Knight Commander, Commander, Member (fourth class) and Member (fifth class). The two highest conferred the status of knighthood on holders. The first two appointments were to Queen Victoria's sons, Albert, Prince of Wales, and Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, who both received the highest grade on 6 May 1896. Of Queen Victoria's 19 Knights Grand Cross appointments, 6 were to Princes of the United Kingdom—her own children, grandchildren or other close relatives—and a further 7 to those already holding a peerage. (Full list...)