I hope that you all saw Thomas’ wonderful post last year on the confirmation gift of HH Princess Astrid of Norway to her great-niece HKH Princess Ingrid Alexandra the bracelet made from bejewelled first-class badge of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert that was presented to HM Queen Maud by her grandmother HM Queen Victoria upon her confirmation on March 10, 1888. If you haven’t it is at Thomas' post "A Special Gift" do yourself a favour and have a read. Very informative and beautifully illustrated.

It is also a nice way to post about my research on these lovely pieces of jewellery that make up the different classes of the order, the next installment on royal family orders.

Royal Order of Victoria and Albert

The first jewelled cameo badge was given to HRH The Princess Royal in 1856 (20/3), at the time of her confirmation. A second badge was given to her sister HRH The Princess Louise in 1859 (21/4), also at her confirmation. It was formally founded as an order of February 10, 1862. Then enlarged to two classes in 1864, three in 1865, and then the final composition of four classes in 1880.

There is a list of recipients of the four different classes of the order (reprinted from the order's official register) included on pages 37-41 of Royal Service Volume II by Risk, J, Pownall, H, Stanley, D & Tamplin. This very informative publication has an opening chapter, “The Royal Family Orders and the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert”, followed by lists of those awarded the different orders, from the VA onwards.

The Royal Collection Trust (RCT) has a few badges on their website for us to admire. HM Queen Victoria’s badge (with the cameo cut with the head of Prince Consort in front of her own) can be found at… https://www.rct.uk/collection/441445/badge-of-the-order-of-victoria-and-albert-first-class

The first class badge of Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Denmark (later HRH The Princess of Wales and HM Queen Alexandra) that was presented to her prior to her wedding to the Prince of Wales is online at… https://www.rct.uk/collection/441446/badge-of-the-order-of-victoria-and-albert-first-class

The second class badge of HH Princes Helena Victoria is in the collection of the RCT, however it is not on their website catalogue. A photograph of it, with the 3rd and 4th class insignia appears in Risk et al’s Royal Service Volume II p23 (or can we found online at https://www.valka.cz/Kralovsky-rad-Viktorie-a-Alberta-t127991

Badges of the third and fourth class can be found in the auction records of eMedals. The third class is at https://www.emedals.com/united-kingdom-an-order-of-victoria-and-albert-iii-class-badge-by-j-ronca-c-4007 (What a stunning case for the insignia too!)

and the fourth class badge at https://www.emedals.com/united-kingdom-a-royal-order-of-victoria-and-albert-iv-class-in-gold-diamonds-and-pearls-c-1890

Now to address a few queries about the order and its members.