The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 1st Type, Dame Grand Cross, G.B.E. set of Ladies Insignia, comprising sash Badge, 98mm including crown suspension x 72mm, silver-gilt and enamel; breast Star, 82mm x 66mm, silver-gilt and enamel.
Condition: Very Fine
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two of which make the recipient either a knight if male or a dame if female. There is also the related British Empire Medal, whose recipients are affiliated with the order, but are not members of it.
The order was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V, who created the order to recognise 'such persons, male or female, as may have rendered or shall hereafter render important services to Our Empire'. Equal recognition was to be given for services rendered in the UK and overseas. Today, the majority of recipients are UK citizens, though a number of Commonwealth realms outside the UK continue to make appointments to the order. Honorary awards may be made to citizens of other nations of which the order's sovereign is not the head of state.
The five classes of appointment to the Order are, from highest grade to lowest grade:
1) Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (GBE)
2) Knight Commander or Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE or DBE)
3) Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)
4) Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)
5) Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)
The senior two ranks of Knight or Dame Grand Cross and Knight or Dame Commander entitle their members to use the titles Sir for men and Dame for women before their forenames, except with honorary awards
