The Royal Victorian Chain is a British award, instituted in 1902 by HM King Edward VII as a personal award of the British Monarch (i.e. not an award by the British Government). Although it is similar in appearance to the Royal Victorian Order, the two awards are unrelated. The Royal Victorian Chain does not confer its recepients any style or title - in fact, the Chain is not even given a precedence within the British honours system - but it represents a token of highest distinction and greatest esteem from the Monarch. The Chain can be conferred upon men and women, both British and foreign: for example, HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand is a recepient of the Chain. It can also serve as the senior award for Canadians, who are ineligible to receive knighthoods. 1902 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Edward VII King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Emperor of India His Majesty King Edward VII (Albert Edward) (9 November 1841–6 May 1910) was the first British monarch of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. ... Victoria founded the Royal Victorian Order. ... The honours system of the United Kingdom is a means of rewarding personal bravery, achievement or service to the country. ... Bhumibol Adulyadej, King Rama IX of Thailand His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great (ภูมิพลอดุลยเดช, actually pronounced Phumiphon Adunyadet), King Rama IX of Thailand, born December 5, 1927, has been King of Thailand since 1946. ...

The chain is in gold, decorated with motifs of Tudor Rose, Thistle, Shamrock and Lotus Flower (symbolizing England, Scotland, Ireland and India respectively), and a crowned, red enamelled cipher "ERI" (Edvardvs Rex Imperator) (surrounded by a wreath for men), upon which the badge is suspended upon. The chain is worn around the collar by men, on a bow (blue with red-white-red edges) on the left shoulder by women. Species About 100, see text A rose is a flowering shrub of the genus Rosa and the flower of this shrub. ... Species See text Thistles are perennial flowering plants of the genus Cirsium. ... The shamrock, an unofficial symbol of Ireland, is a three-leaved young white clover, sometimes (rarely nowadays) Trifolium repens (white clover, known in Irish as seamair bhán) but more usually today Trifolium dubium (lesser clover, Irish: seamair bhuí). The shamrock was traditionally used for its medical properties and was... Species Nelumbo lutea Willd. ... Royal motto: Dieu et mon droit (French: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area  - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 1st UK 49,138,831 377/km² Ethnicity... Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within the UK Main languages English Scots Scottish Gaelic Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ...

The badge is a gold, white enamelled Maltese Cross; the oval-shaped central medallion depicts Victoria's Royal and Imperial Cypher, "VRI" (Victoria Regina Imperatrice) on a red background, surrounded by a crown-surmounted blue ring bearing the word "Victoria". Both the crown and the cypher are studded with diamonds. The Maltese Cross (✠) has been the symbol of the Christian warrior since the First Crusade. ...

The Royal Victorian Chain must be returned to the Monarch upon the death of the recepient.

See also

• Royal Victorian Order