Royal Warrant - Consolidated Statutes of the Order of the Bath [1995-06-13]

WHEREAS Our Royal Progenitor and Predecessor King George the First, by certain Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date the Eighteenth day of May, One thousand seven hundred and twenty-five, in the Eleventh year of His Reign, did institute, erect and constitute a Military Order of Knighthood to be and be called for ever thereafter by the name and title of the ORDER OF THE BATH; and it was thereby provided that the said Order should be governed by Statutes and Ordinances to be from time to time made, ordained, altered and abrogated by His said late Majesty, His heirs and successors at His and Their pleasure; and Whereas Our late dear Great-Great-Grandmother, Queen Victoria, by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom bearing date the Fourteenth day of April, One thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, did ordain, direct and appoint that the said Order should be thenceforth known and described by the style and designation of the MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH, and did make certain alterations in the constitution of the said Order, and whereas Statutes and Ordinances governing the said Order were enacted and issued at divers subsequent dates by Our Royal Predecessors and by Us, and Whereas We did make on the Sixth day of May, One thousand nine hundred and eighty-one, certain alterations in the constitution of the MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH and have at divers subsequent dates made certain alterations to the said Statutes, We deem it now expedient to assemble the said Statutes and to make such alterations as may appear to Us necessary for the better government of the said Order:

Recites Letters Patent, 18 May, 1725.

Recites Letters Patent, 14 April, 1847.

NOW KNOW YE that, in pursuance and exercise of the power vested in Us in the said Letters Patent of Our Royal Predecessor King George the First, We have abrogated and annulled and do hereby abrogate and repeal all and every the said Statutes and Ordinances so far as they are repugnant to or inconsistent with the following Statutes:

And further KNOW ALL YE to whom these Presents shall come that in substitution thereof We have made, ordained and established and by these Presents sealed with the Seal of the said Order do make, ordain and establish the following Statutes and Ordinances, namely:-

Repeals all former Statutes.

First.—It is Ordained that this Order of Knighthood shall, as heretofore, be styled and designated in all acts, proceedings and pleadings as "THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH", as in the Letters Patent of the Tenth year of the Reign of Our late dear Great-Great-Grandmother Queen Victoria, and by no other.

Style and Designation.

Second.—It is Ordained that the said MOST HONOURABLE ORDER shall consist of The SOVEREIGN, a GREAT MASTER, and three several Classes, namely:- KNIGHTS GRAND CROSS and DAMES GRAND CROSS, KNIGHTS COMMANDER and DAMES COMMANDER, and COMPANIONS.

Order to consist of Sovereign, Great Master, and three Classes of Members.

Third.—It is Ordained that, as in the said last-recited Letters Patent is mentioned, We, Our heirs and successors, Kings and Queens Regnant of this United Kingdom, are and for ever shall be Sovereigns of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER, to whom doth and shall belong all power of annulling, interpreting, explaining, or augmenting these and every part of these Statutes.

Sovereign.

Fourth.—It is Ordained that a Prince of the Blood Royal, being a descendant of the body of His late Majesty, King George the First, or such other exalted personage as We, Our heirs and successors, may appoint, shall hold and enjoy the dignified office of Great Master of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER, and that he shall be the First or Principal Knight Grand Cross of the same: and We are pleased to authorise him to enjoy all privileges, exercise all rights, and perform all duties belonging to that high office; and that to his custody shall be confided the Great Seal of the Order, which he shall affix to all Instruments, according to the regulations which are in the said recited Letters Patent of the Tenth year of the Reign of Our late dear Great-Great-Grandmother, Queen Victoria, and in the said recited Statutes, and hereinafter prescribed, touching the issue of every of the said Instruments; and it is further Ordained that it shall be his special duty to enforce the due observance of the Statutes and Ordinances of this Order.

Great Master

Duties.

Fifth.—It is Ordained that this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER shall contain three Classes as in the said last-recited Letters Patent mentioned, styled respectively, "KNIGHTS GRAND CROSS and DAMES GRAND CROSS", "KNIGHTS COMMANDER and DAMES COMMANDER", and "COMPANIONS".

And it is further Ordained that each and every of these three Classes shall likewise contain two Sub-divisions, whereof the first shall be styled "MILITARY" and the second "CIVIL", each of which Sub-divisions shall be composed partly of Ordinary, partly of Additional, and partly of Honorary Members.

Classes divided into Military and Civil Sub-divisions, composed of Ordinary, Additional and Honorary Members.

Sixth.—It is Ordained that the numbers to which the several Classes and the several Divisions of this Order are limited shall not restrict Us, Our heirs and successors from appointing at Our pleasure any Prince or Princess of the Blood Royal, being a descendant of His late Majesty King George the First, or any Consort or relict of any Prince or Princess of the Blood Royal.

Princes or Princesses of the Blood Royal, Descendants of George I, to be extra.

Seventh.—It is Ordained that such members of the Household of Us, Our heirs and successors as may be admitted into this Order shall not be included within the numbers of the Ordinary Members allotted to such Classes, and it is Ordained that the Additional Members so appointed shall have rank and precedence among the Ordinary Members of their respective Classes according to the dates of their respective appointments.

Members of the Royal Household to be Additional Members.

Eighth.—It is Ordained that the Military Division of the First Class, or Knights and Dames Grand Cross, shall not exceed eighty-two in number, of which number eighty may be appointed in Our Armed Forces of the United Kingdom (not more than eight to be so appointed in any period of five years), and two in the case of any Members of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen, other than Our United Kingdom, the Government whereof shall so desire, on the recommendation of the appropriate Prime Minister for the said Commonwealth country; and that no person shall be appointed to this Division who doth not, at the time of nomination, actually hold a commission in Our Naval Forces of any Member of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen of or above the rank of Rear Admiral, a commission in Our Marines of or above the rank of Major General, a commission in Our Military Forces of any Member of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen of or above the rank of Major General, or a commission in Our Air Forces of any Member of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen of or above the rank of Air Vice-Marshal.

Members of the First Class of the Military Division not to exceed 82 in number.

Qualifications.

Ninth.—It is Ordained that the Civil Division of the First Class, or Knights and Dames Grand Cross, shall not exceed thirty-eight in number, of which number thirty-six may be persons connected with Our United Kingdom (not more than six to be so appointed in any period of five years) and two in the case of any Members of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen, other than Our United Kingdom, the Government whereof shall so desire, on the recommendation of the appropriate Prime Minister of the said Commonwealth country; and that no persons shall be appointed to this Division who shall not by their personal services to Our Crown, or by the performance of public duties, have merited Our Royal favour.

Members of the First Class of the Civil Division not to exceed 38 in number.

Qualifications.

Tenth.—It is Ordained that the Military Division of the Second Class, or Knights and Dames Commander, shall not exceed two hundred and fifteen in number, of which number two hundred and ten may be appointed in Our Armed Forces of the United Kingdom (not more than four to be so appointed in any one year), and five in the case of any Members of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen, other than Our United Kingdom, the Government whereof shall so desire, on the recommendation of the appropriate Prime Minister of the said Commonwealth country; and that no person shall be appointed to this Division who doth not, at the time of nomination, actually hold a commission in Our Naval Forces of any Member of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen of or above the rank of Captain, a commission in Our Marines of or above the rank of Colonel, a commission in Our Military Forces of any Member of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen of or above a similar rank, a commission in Our Air Forces of any Member of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen of or above the rank of Group Captain, or a commission of equivalent or higher rank in a Department of Our Military Forces of any Member of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen; or who hath not by a lengthened service as an Officer of Our Royal Naval Reserve, or as an Officer of Our Royal Marine Reserve, or as an Officer in Our Territorial Army, or in the Home Service Battalions of Our Royal Irish Regiment, or as an Officer in Our Royal Auxiliary Air Force or in Our Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, contributed in marked degree to the efficiency of such Army or Forces or Reserve; and who shall not have been recommended to Us for distinguished service in the presence of the enemy or who shall not have given good and efficient service as an officer of Flag Rank in the General List of Our Navy, as General Officer in Our Marines, as General Officer in Our Military Forces or Air Officer in Our Air Forces, or who shall not have deserved such distinction by meritorious service.

Members of the Second Class of the Military Division not to exceed 215 in number.

Qualifications.

Eleventh.—It is Ordained that the Civil Division of the Second Class, or Knights and Dames Commander, shall not exceed one hundred and forty in number, of which number one hundred and thirty-seven may be persons connected with Our United Kingdom (not more than four to be so appointed in any one year), and three in the case of any Members of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen, other than Our United Kingdom, the Government whereof shall so desire, on the recommendation of the appropriate Prime Minister of the said Commonwealth country; and that no person shall be appointed thereto who shall not by personal services to Our Crown, or by the performance of public duties, have merited Our Royal favour.

Members of the Second Class of the Civil Division not to exceed 140 in number.

Qualifications.

Twelfth.—It is Ordained that the Military Division of the Third Class, or Companions, shall not exceed nine hundred and twenty in number, of which number eight hundred and fifty may be appointed in Our Armed Forces of the United Kingdom (not more than fourteen and one fifth to be so appointed in any one year), and seventy in the case of any Members of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen, other than Our United Kingdom, the Government whereof shall so desire, on the recommendation of the appropriate Prime Minister of the said Commonwealth country; and that no person shall be appointed to this Division who doth not, at the time of nomination, actually hold a commission in Our Naval Forces of any Member of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen of or above the rank of Lieutenant Commander or its equivalent, a commission in Our Marines of or above the rank of Major, a commission in Our Military Forces of any Member of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen of or above that rank or its equivalent, a commission in Our Air Forces of any Member of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen of or above the rank of Squadron Leader or its equivalent, or a commission of equivalent of higher rank in a Department of Our Military Forces of any Member of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen; or who hath not by a lengthened service as an Officer of Our Royal Naval Reserve, or as an Officer of Our Royal Marine Reserve, or as an Officer in Our Territorial Army, the Home Service Battalions of Our Royal Irish Regiment, or as an Officer in Our Royal Auxiliary Air Force or in Our Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, contributed in a marked degree to the efficiency of such Army or Forces or Reserve; nor shall any person be admitted into this Division unless by good and zealous service they have contributed in a marked degree to the efficiency of Our Naval Forces of any Member of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen, or of Our Marines or of Our Military or Our Air Forces of any Member of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen; or unless they shall have deserved such distinction by meritorious service in operations.

Members of the Third Class of the Military Division not to exceed 920 in number.

Qualifications.

Thirteenth.—It is Ordained that the Civil Division of the Third Class, or Companions, shall not exceed one thousand and five in number, of which number nine hundred and fifty may be persons connected with Our United Kingdom (not more than thirty-six to be so appointed in any one year), and fifty-five in the case of any Members of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen, other than Our United Kingdom, the Government whereof shall so desire, on the recommendation of the appropriate Prime Minister of the said Commonwealth country; and that no person shall be appointed to this Division who would not, according to the provisions hereinbefore contained, be qualified for being nominated to be of the Civil Division of the Second Class, or Knights and Dames Commander, of the said Order.

Members of the Third Class of the Civil Division not to exceed 1,005 in number.

Qualifications.

Fourteenth.—It is Ordained that the Honorary Members of the Order shall consist of Foreign persons upon whom We may think fit to confer the honour of being received into the Military and Civil Divisions of the Several Classes of this Order; and it is further Ordained that the name of every foreign person to be received into this Order shall be laid before Us, Our heirs and successors by Our Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, or, in the case of any Member of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen, other than Our United Kingdom, the Government whereof shall so desire, by the appropriate Prime Minister of the said Commonwealth country.

It is also Ordained that citizens of countries within the Commonwealth of which We are not Queen, upon whom We may think fit to confer the honour of being received into this Order shall also be included among the Honorary Members, according to the Division and Class in the Order to which they belong, and it is further Ordained that the name of every such citizen to be received into this Order shall be laid before Us, Our heirs and successors, by Our Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, or, in the case of any Member of the Commonwealth of which We are Queen, other than Our United Kingdom, the Government whereof shall so desire, by the appropriate Prime Minister of the said Commonwealth country and that the number of such persons shall not be limited as is provided in the case of Ordinary Members.

Honorary Members.

Fifteenth.—It is Ordained that, having taken into Our Royal consideration the expressed desire of the Prime Minister of Our Commonwealth of Australia and the Premiers of each and every State of Our Commonwealth of Australia to cease from the submission of recommendations to this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER, We, in pursuance and exercise of the power vested in Us, do accede to this desire for Us, Our heirs and successors the Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth and Fourteenth of these Statutes to the contrary notwithstanding.

Australian citizens no longer to be recommended for appointment to the Order.

Sixteenth.—It is Ordained that, although We have deemed it expedient in the foregoing Statutes to prescribe and limit the numbers which shall constitute each Class and each Division of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER, nevertheless, inasmuch as We are pleased to regard not merely the present but the future exigencies of this Our Realm, so We have thought fit to provide for distant contingencies; therefore, in the event of any future wars or of any actions or services, civil or military, meriting peculiar honour and reward, it shall be lawful for Us, Our heirs and successors, in virtue of the powers to Us and Them reserved in and by the said recited Letters Patent of the Tenth year of the Reign of Our late dear Great-Great-Grandmother, Queen Victoria, to increase the numbers in any of the said Classes, and in any of the said Divisions, and to assign a place in any such Divisions to any of Our Officers, Naval and Military or Air whose rank in Our Service would not qualify for holding a place therein, according to the provisions hereinbefore in that behalf made.

Sovereign can increase number of Members, and dispense with qualifications.

Seventeenth.—It is ordained that, (I) the persons whom our late dear Grandfather, King George the Fifth, thought fit to admit into the said MOST HONOURABLE ORDER in recognition of their services rendered during the First World War, (II) those admitted by Him in commemoration of His Silver Jubilee, (III) those whom our late dear Father, King George the Sixth, thought fit to admit into the said MOST HONOURABLE ORDER in commemoration of His Coronation, (IV) those Members admitted by Him in recognition of their services rendered during the Second World War, (V) those Members admitted by Him in recognition of their services in operations in Palestine and the adjoining waters between the Twenty-seventh day of September, One thousand nine hundred and forty-five and the Thirtieth day of June, One thousand nine hundred and forty-eight, (VI) those Members admitted in recognition of their services in operations in Malaya between the First day of June, One thousand nine hundred and forty-eight and the Thirty-first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and sixty, (VII) those whom We thought fit to admit into the said MOST HONOURABLE ORDER in commemoration of Our Coronation, (VIII) those whom We thought fit to admit in recognition of services in Korea between the Ninth day of July, One thousand nine hundred and fifty and the Twenty-seventh day of July, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-three, (IX) those whom We thought fit to admit in recognition of services in Kenya between the Twenty-first day of October, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-two and the Seventeenth day of November, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-six, (X) those whom We thought fit to admit in recognition of services in Cyprus between the First day of July, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-six and the Eighteenth day of April, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-nine, (XI) those whom We thought fit to admit in recognition of services in the Near East during the period October to December, One thousand nine hundred and fifty-six, (XII) those whom We thought fit to admit in recognition of their services in the Borneo Territories between the Eighth day of December, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-two and the Eleventh day of August, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-six, (XIII) those whom We thought fit to admit in recognition of services in Viet-Nam in the year One thousand nine hundred and seventy-two, (XIV) those whom We thought fit to admit into the said MOST HONOURABLE ORDER in commemoration of Our Silver Jubilee, (XV) those whom We thought fit to admit in recognition of services in operations in the South Atlantic in the year One thousand nine hundred and eighty-two, (XVI) those whom We thought fit to admit in recognition of services in operations in the Gulf between the Second day of August, One thousand nine hundred and ninety and the Seventh day of March, One thousand nine hundred and ninety-one, and (XVII) those Honorary Members of the said MOST HONOURABLE ORDER who, subsequent to appointment as such, have become or become in the future, subjects, male and female, of Our Crown and in respect of whom the relevant Government shall so desire, shall be Additional Members of the Several Classes to which they were admitted and shall not be included within the numbers of the Ordinary Members allotted to such Classes, and it is Ordained further that the Additional Members so appointed shall have rank and precedence among the Ordinary Members of their respective Classes according to the dates of their respective appointments, and that the Statutes of Our said Order shall in all matters and things apply in the same manner to the said Additional Members as to the Ordinary Members of Our said MOST HONOURABLE ORDER, any Statute, Decree or Usage to the contrary notwithstanding. It is further Ordained that the date of appointment as Additional Member of an Honorary Member becoming an Additional Member shall be the date on which he or she became a subject of Our Crown.

Recites certain former Statutes appointing Additional Members.

Eighteenth.—It is Ordained that, unless The Sovereign shall otherwise direct, on the day appointed for the Investiture of a Knight or Dame Grand Cross or a Knight or Dame Commander of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER, he or she shall be Invested with the Insignia of his or her dignity in the Order by Us, Our heirs and successors if he or she be in Our United Kingdom, and, if he or she be in any other country, by Our Governor General of that country or, if there be no Governor General, by such person as We may be pleased to appoint specially for the purpose, in Our name and on Our Behalf; and the person to be Invested shall then be introduced into the presence of The Sovereign, the Governor General, or the person specially appointed by Us as aforesaid, as the case may be, by an Officer of the Order, or other Officer deputed to be in attendance, bearing the proper Insignia of the Order, when The Sovereign, or Governor General, or the person specially appointed, having in the case of Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commander conferred the Honour of Knighthood upon the person so nominated unless he shall have previously received that honour, will then proceed to Invest the new Knight Grand Cross, Dame Grand Cross, Knight Commander or Dame Commander with the Riband and Badge and shall then deliver to him or her the Star of the Order.

Investitures.

Nineteenth.—It is Ordained that, if any person, nominated and appointed a Knight or Dame Grand Cross or Knight or Dame Commander of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER, shall, at the time of such nomination and appointment, as aforesaid, be absent on Our Service, or for other good cause be unable to be present, it shall be competent for Us, Our heirs and successors, to dispense with the Ceremony of his or her Investiture, or to authorise some distinguished Officer in Our Service, or other person, to perform, in Our name and on Our behalf, the Ceremony of Investiture, by the transmission to the said distinguished Officer, or other person, of the proper Insignia, accompanied by a Warrant, authorising the said Investiture; and the said Warrant shall be prepared by direction of the Great Master, and shall receive the Royal Sign Manual, and shall be counter-signed by the aforesaid Great Master, who shall affix thereto the Seal of this Order; and the said Warrant shall notify that We have been pleased either wholly to dispense with the Ceremony of Investiture or to authorise its performance as aforesaid, according as the case may be; and the said Warrant shall fully permit and authorise the person so nominated to wear the Insignia and enjoy the privileges appertaining to the Class into which he or she has been so admitted, in as full and ample a manner as if he or she had been Invested by Us, Our heirs and successors; and We do hereby admit such Knights Grand Cross, or Knights Commander to the rights, privileges, and precedency belonging to either of the said Classes, including, among such rights and privileges, the use and enjoyment of the distinctive appellation of a Knight Bachelor of these Realms, until it shall be convenient for The Sovereign to confer personally that honour, or to grant it by Letters patent under the Great Seal: provided nevertheless that, subject to such exceptions as We, Our heirs and successors may think fit, when an announcement has been approved by The Sovereign and has been published officially to the effect that a person is nominated and appointed a Knight Grand Cross or Knight Commander of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER he shall forthwith assume the distinctive appellation or prefix of a Knight Bachelor and use the customary letters after the name denoting the appointment to the Order.

Sovereign can dispense with Investiture.

Twentieth.—It is Ordained that the Ceremony of Installation of certain Knights or Dames Grand Cross of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER shall be performed in the Chapel of King Henry the Seventh in the Abbey Church of Westminster, and, on the occasion of a vacancy in the Stalls of the said Chapel assigned to the Military Division of Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the said Order, the Registrar and Secretary shall communicate with the Knight or Dame Grand Cross of the said Division next in seniority and shall inform him or her that the Stall so vacated will be assigned to him or her if he or she so desires, and, in the case of such Knight or Dame Grand Cross not so desiring, the Registrar and Secretary shall communicate in the same manner with the Knights or Dames Grand Cross of the said Division in seniority, and, on the occasion of a vacancy in the Stalls assigned to the Civil Division of Knights or Dames Grand Cross, the Registrar and Secretary shall communicate in like manner with the Knights or Dames Grand Cross in the Civil Division in seniority. It is further Ordained that a Banner of his or her Arms shall be placed over the Stall of each Knight or Dame Grand Cross and shall be two yards in length and two yards in breadth, fringed about with the heraldic colours of the Arms, that the Crest, Helmet, and Sword and an Escutcheon of his or her Arms (which shall be enamelled within a circle Gules, having thereon the motto of the Order in letters of gold, under which the name and title of the Knight or Dame Grand Cross with the date of his or her nomination shall be inscribed) shall be affixed to the Stall of the Knight or Dame Grand Cross, and it is Ordained that the said Banner, Crest and Escutcheon shall be prepared under the direction of the Genealogist of Our said Order who shall communicate with each Knight or Dame Grand Cross upon his or her nomination and shall make such preparations as are necessary, and that the said Banner and Crest shall be removed on the death of the Knight or Dame Grand Cross and given to the legal representative of the deceased Knight or Dame. It is further Ordained that each Knight or Dame Grand Cross shall defray the expense of the manufacture of his or her Banner and Crest, and it is Ordained that a fee of One Pound shall be paid to the Dean of Westminster by a Knight or Dame on Installation and a similar fee by a deceased Knight's or Dame's legal representative when such Knight's or Dame's Banner is removed from the Chapel.

Allocation of Stalls to Knights and Dames Grand Cross in the Chapel of the Order.

Banner, Crest, Helmet and Sword of Knights and Dames Grand Cross.

Expense to be defrayed by Knights or Dames Grand Cross.

Twenty-first.—It is Ordained that, in all solemn ceremonials, and in all other places and assemblies whatsoever, the Knights and Dames Grand Cross of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER shall have taken place and precedency next to and immediately before Knights Grand Commander of Our MOST EXALTED ORDER OF THE STAR OF INDIA, and that the Knights and Dames Commander of this Order shall have place and precedency next to and immediately after the Knights Grand Cross of Our MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, and that the Companions of this Order shall have place and precedency next to and immediately before the Companions of Our MOST EXALTED ORDER OF THE STAR OF INDIA; nevertheless, We are pleased to declare, that nothing contained in this Statute shall be taken of construed to diminish the privileges or precedency reserved in the Seventeenth Statute to the Members of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER nominated or appointed previously to the date of these presents. And that (with the exception of the Great Master of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER and of the Members of the Royal Family) the Knights and Dames Grand Cross, Knights and Dames Commander and Companions of this Order, shall take rank among each other according to the dates of their respective appointments in the Classes of this Order to which they severally belong.

Precedence of Members.

Twenty-second.—It is Ordained that Our habits and robes, as Sovereign of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER, shall be of the same material and fashion as heretofore and as are hereinafter appointed for the Knights and Dames Grand Cross, save only with those alterations which may befit and distinguish Our Royal Dignity; that the said Knights and Dames Grand Cross shall at Investitures of the Order and upon all great and solemn occasions appointed by The Sovereign wear mantles of crimson satin, lined with white taffeta, and tied with a cordon of white silk, with two tassels of crimson silk and gold attached thereto; and that, on the left side of the said mantle, below a white silk lace shall be embroidered a representation of the Star of a Knight or Dame Grand Cross of this Order, which Star shall in the case of every Military Knight and Dame Grand Cross be as follows, that is to say, composed of rays of silver, charged with a Maltese Cross Or, in the Centre whereof, on a ground Argent, shall be three arched imperial crowns, one and two Or, the said three arched imperial crowns within a circle Gules, inscribed with the motto of the Order, viz., "TRIA JUNCTA IN UNO", in letters gold, and the said circle, encompassed by two branches of laurel, in proper colours, issuant from an escrol Azure whereon shall be inscribed "ICH DIEN", also in letters gold, in form and arrangement as in the representation thereof annexed to these Our Statutes; and the Star which shall be represented upon the mantles of Civil Knights and Dames Grand Cross shall be in every case as follows, that is to say, composed of rays of silver, issuing from a centre, and charged with three arched imperial crowns, one and two Or, within a circle Gules, whereon shall be inscribed "TRIA JUNCTA IN UNO", in letters gold, in form and arrangement as in the representation thereof annexed to these Our Statutes. Further, We are pleased to Ordain that on all other occasions whatsoever the Knights and Dames Grand Cross shall wear the Star appointed for their respective Division, Military or Civil, as the case may be, upon the left side of their coats or outer garments. We are pleased further to Ordain that, at all Investitures and other solemn ceremonials as well as upon all days usually termed "Collar Days", a Collar of gold, composed of nine arched imperial crowns Or, eight roses, thistles, and shamrocks, issuing from a gold sceptre, and enamelled in their proper colours, linked together with seventeen knots, enamelled Argent, shall be worn by the Knights and Dames Grand Cross of this Order, other than Honorary Knights and Dames Grand Cross not being Reigning Sovereigns, Princes of the Blood Royal, Presidents or Heads of Foreign States, or Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Ministers accredited to Our Court. Further it is Ordained that to the aforesaid Collar shall be suspended the Badge of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER, which Badge shall, in the case of Military Knights and Dames Grand Cross, be a gold Maltese cross, of eight points, enamelled Argent, edged gold, and terminating with small gold balls, having in each of the four angles a lion passant, guardant Or, and, in the centre on a ground Argent, the rose, thistle, and shamrock, issuing from a sceptre, between three arched imperial crowns, all Or, within a circle Gules, inscribed with the motto, "TRIA JUNCTA IN UNO", in letters gold, and encompassed by two laurel branches, in proper colours, issuant from an escrol Azure, whereon shall be inscribed "ICH DIEN", also in letters gold, the whole in form and arrangement as in the representation thereof annexed to these Our Statutes. And it is Ordained that the Badge, in the case of Civil Knights and Dames Grand Cross, shall be of an oval shape, composed of a rose, thistle, and shamrock, issuing from a sceptre between three arched imperial crowns, the whole pierced and surrounded by the motto, "TRIA JUNCTA IN UNO", all gold, as is represented in the representation thereof annexed to these Our Statutes; and the said Collar and Badge Appendant shall be delivered to every Knight and Dame Grand Cross after his or her Investiture, which Collar and Badge, it is hereby Ordained, shall, on the decease of each and every Knight or Dame Grand Cross of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER, be returned to the Registrar and Secretary of the said Order and be by him deposited with the Central Chancery of Our Orders of Knighthood; and the Registrar and Secretary is hereby authorised, empowered, and required to ask, demand, and receive from heirs, executors or administrators of each and every Knight or Dame Grand Cross already deceased or that hereafter may decease, the Collar and Badge Appendant thereto which they may have already received or hereafter may receive from the Central Chancery of Our Orders of Knighthood. Further, it is Ordained that upon all other occasions whatsoever the Military and Civil Knights Grand Cross shall wear their respective Badges, suspended by a crimson Riband, and of the width of four inches, and that Military and Civil Dames Grand Cross shall wear their respective Badges suspended by a crimson Riband, and of the width of two and a quarter inches, and passing from the right shoulder obliquely to the left side. The Great Master, as Principal Knight Grand Cross, shall wear the Insignia and habits of the Military Division of that Class, the Badge of which for the Great Master shall have added thereto a royal crown.

Robes of Sovereign.

Mantles of Knights and Dames Grand Cross.

Collar.

Badge Appendant.

Collar and Badge to be delivered up on death.

Badge to be worn with Riband when Collar is not worn.

Insignia of the Great Master.

Twenty-third.—It is Ordained that the Knights Commander of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER shall wear around their necks a Riband of the same colour as that appointed for Knights and Dames Grand Cross, but measuring in breadth two inches, and pendent therefrom a Badge, which, for the Military and Civil Knights Commander, shall be the same respectively as the Badges appointed for the Military and Civil Knights Grand Cross, but of smaller size; and that the Military and Civil Dames Commander shall wear a Badge of similar form and pattern to that appointed for Military and Civil Knights Commander respectively, attached to a Riband also similar to that worn by Military and Civil Knights Commander but, except with coats of Military pattern, tied in a bow and worn on the left side; and that the said Knights and Dames Commander shall wear upon the upper part and left side of their coats or outer garments the Stars hereinafter described, that is to say every Military Knight and Dame Commander shall wear a Star composed of four rays of silver, between each of which shall issue a smaller ray, also of silver, and in the centre shall be, on a ground Argent, three arched imperial crowns, one and two Or, within a circle Gules, inscribed with the motto, "TRIA JUNCTA IN UNO", in letters gold, and encompassed by two branches of laurel, in proper colours, issuant from an escrol Azure, inscribed "ICH DIEN", also in letters gold, the whole in form and arrangement as in the representation thereof annexed to these Our Statutes; and the Civil Knights and Dames Commander shall wear a Star composed of four rays of silver, between each of which shall issue a smaller ray, also of silver, and in the centre, on a ground Argent, three arched imperial crowns, one and two Or, within a circle Gules, inscribed with the motto, "TRIA JUNCTA IN UNO", in letters gold, as in the representation thereof annexed to these Our Statutes.

Insignia of Knights and Dames Commander.

Twenty-fourth.—It is Ordained that the Military and Civil Companions shall each wear, in the same manner, a Riband of the same colour and form as that appointed for the Military and Civil Knights and Dames Commander respectively, but measuring one inch and a half in breadth, and pendent therefrom a Badge of the same form as that appointed for the Military and Civil Knights and Dames Commander respectively but of smaller size, as in the representation thereof annexed to these Our Statutes.

Insignia of Companions.

Twenty-fifth.—It is Ordained that the Miniature Badges worn by the Members of the Military and Civil Divisions of the several Classes of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER shall be half the size of the Badges of the Members of the Military and Civil Divisions of the Third Class, or Companions, of the said Order and that Sealed Patterns of the said Miniature Badges shall be deposited and kept in the Central Chancery of Our Orders of Knighthood.

Miniature Badges.

Twenty-sixth.—It is Ordained that, on the promotion of a Member of the Second or Third Classes of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER to a higher Class of the same Division of the said Order to which he or she has been already admitted, the Insignia of such lower Class theretofore worn by him or her shall be returned to the Registrar and Secretary of the Order, and be by him deposited with the Central Chancery of Our Orders of Knighthood; and the Registrar and Secretary of this Order, for the time being, is hereby authorised, empowered, and directed to ask, demand, and receive from such Members as have already been or that hereafter may be promoted, as aforesaid, the Insignia of the Order theretofore worn by such promoted Member: provided nevertheless, and it is further Ordained that, if any person who shall have been admitted to be a Member of the Second or of the Third Class of the Military Division of this Order shall subsequently be admitted to be a Member of a higher Class of the Civil Division thereof, or, if any person who shall have been admitted to be a Member of the Second or of the Third Class of the Civil Division of this Order shall subsequently be admitted to be a Member of a higher Class of the Military Division thereof, such person shall be entitled to retain and wear the Insignia of such inferior Class in addition to the Insignia of such higher Class, and to be considered an Additional Member of such lower Class.

Insignia of promoted Members to be returned.

Member of lower Classes of Military Division admitted to higher Classes of Civil Division may wear Insignia of both Divisions and vice-versa.

Twenty-seventh.—It is Ordained that for the greater splendour and dignity of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER it shall be lawful for the Knights Grand Cross and Dames Grand Cross, in conformity with the ancient usage, upon all occasions to bear and use supporters to their Arms; and We do by these presents direct and command Our Garter Principal King of Arms for the time being to grant Supporters to such Knights Grand Cross and Dames Grand Cross as shall not be entitled otherwise thereto; it shall likewise be lawful for all Knights Grand Cross and Dames Grand Cross to surround their Armorial Ensigns with a representation of the Collar, circle, and motto of this Order, with the Badge pendent thereto, and for all Knights Commander and Dames Commander to surround their Armorial Ensigns with the circle and motto of this Order, and with a representation of the Badge suspended thereto; moreover, such Knights Grand Cross and Dames Grand Cross and Knights and Dames Commander as belong to the Military Divisions of their respective Classes shall encompass the circle and motto hereinbefore mentioned with two laurel branches, in proper colours, issuant from an escrol Azure, inscribed "ICH DIEN"; and We are further pleased to Ordain that it shall be lawful for the Companions of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER upon all occasions to surround their Armorial Bearings with the circle and motto of the Order and to suspend therefrom a representation of their Riband and Badge.

Knights and Dames Grand Cross may use Supporters to their Arms.

Armorial Ensigns for Knights and Dames Grand Cross.

Armorial Ensigns for Knights and Dames Commander.

Armorial Ensigns for Companions.

Twenty-eighth.—It is Ordained that the Seal of this Order shall, as heretofore, consist of the Arms following, to be engraven thereon, viz.: Azure, three arched imperial crowns, one and two Or, impaling Our Royal Arms with this circumscription, "SIGILLUM HONORATISSIMI ORDINIS DE BALNEO". And Our Royal Will and Pleasure is that the said Seal shall for ever hereafter be the Seal of the said Order of the Bath; and that the Statutes, to be perpetually and inviolably observed within the said Order, shall be established and sealed by and with the same Seal; and We do hereby for Us, Our heirs and successors, declare and Ordain that the said Statutes so to be given by Us, Our heirs and successors, to which the said Seal shall be affixed, shall be of the same force and validity as if the same Statutes had been verbatim recited in Our said Letters Patent of the Tenth year of the Reign of Our late dear Great-Great-Grandmother, Queen Victoria, and had been passed under the Great Seal of Our said United Kingdom.

Seal of the Order.

Twenty-ninth.—It is Ordained that it shall be competent for Us, Our heirs and successors, by an Ordinance signed by The Sovereign and sealed with the Seal of the Order and on the recommendation to that effect of one of Our Ministers whom the matter doth properly concern, to cancel and annul the appointment of any person to this Order and that thereupon his or her name in the Register shall be erased and he or she shall forthwith return the Insignia or Badge; but that it shall be competent for The Sovereign to restore to the Order any person whose appointment may have been so cancelled and annulled when such recommendation shall have been withdrawn.

Cancellation of appointment to the Order.

Thirtieth.—It is Ordained that there shall be the following Officers attached to this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER, that is to say, a Dean, a King of Arms, a Registrar and Secretary, a Genealogist, a Gentleman Usher, and a Deputy Secretary; and We are pleased to declare and command that the present holders of the said offices shall continue to fill them in conformity with the provisions of these Statutes; and that the said Officers, collectively and individually, shall exercise and enjoy all the rights and privileges which they have heretofore possessed, and We do further hereby direct and command that such mantles and Insignia as in these Statutes they are directed to wear shall be prepared at the charge of The Sovereign and be furnished by the Central Chancery of Our Orders of Knighthood upon receipt of a mandate issued for that purpose by the Great Master of this Order; moreover, the King of Arms, the Registrar and Secretary, the Genealogist, the Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod, and the Deputy Secretary, who attend within Our Royal Palace for the service of the Order, shall continually remain under the protection of The Sovereign, and are hereby declared to be servants of Our Royal Household. Further We are pleased to declare and command that the Officers of this Order shall take rank and precedence among themselves as follows:-

1.  The Dean;
2.  The King of Arms;
3.  The Registrar and Secretary;
4.  The Genealogist;
5.  The Gentleman Usher; and
6.  The Deputy Secretary.

Officers of the Order.

Precedence of Officers of the Order.

Thirty-first.—It is Ordained that the Dean of the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter, Westminster, for the time being, shall be the Dean of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER for ever hereafter, and that in all ceremonies of the Order he shall be habited in the like mantle and Insignia as have been appointed for Civil Knights and Dames Grand Cross; he shall wear around his neck, pendent to a Riband, similar to that which is assigned to the Knights and Dames Grand Cross, a Badge like that which is appointed for the Civil Knights and Dames Grand Cross, save and except upon "Collar Days", Investitures, and other public solemnities, at which he shall wear the Badge suspended from a chain of gold; moreover, it shall be lawful for the Dean to wear his own Armorial Ensigns, impaled with those of the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter, Westminster, and surrounded with the circle and motto of this Order.

Dean of the Order.

His Mantle and Insignia.

Thirty-second.—It is Ordained that the King of Arms shall be nominated by Us, Our heirs and successors, and shall be designated Bath King of Arms; that he shall sedulously attend the service of this Order. And, further, it is Ordained that in all ceremonies of the Order he shall be habited in a mantle of white satin lined with crimson silk, and tied with a cordon of white silk, with two tassels of crimson silk and gold attached thereto, having on the right shoulder an Escutcheon Azure, charged with three arched imperial crowns, one and two Or, and wear around his neck, pendent to a gold chain, an Escutcheon of gold, enamelled on a field Azure, three arched imperial crowns, one and two Or, impaling the Arms of The Sovereign, surrounded with the circle and motto of the Order, and surmounted by an arched imperial crown; that he shall carry the White Rod of this Order, which shall have on the two greater squares the Arms of the Order, Azure, three arched imperial crowns, one and two Or, impaled with those of The Sovereign, and on the lesser squares the Arms of the Order, the whole surmounted by an arched imperial crown; and that at all Coronations he shall precede the Knights and Dames Grand Cross, and shall carry and wear a crown, as Our other Kings of Arms are accustomed to do; which chain, badge, rod and crown shall all be of the same materials as those used and borne by Our Garter Principal King of Arms; and that in all other ceremonials and assemblies he shall wear the Escutcheon of office around his neck, pendent to a Riband similar to that assigned to Civil Knights and Dames Commander and that he shall have place and precedence among Our Kings of Arms next to and immediately after Norroy and Ulster King of Arms and before the King of Arms of Our MOST DISTINGUISHED ORDER OF SAINT MICHAEL AND SAINT GEORGE.

Bath King of Arms.

His Mantle and Insignia.

His Precedence.

Thirty-third.—It is Ordained that the Registrar and Secretary shall be appointed by Us, Our heirs and successors, that he shall carefully record all proceedings connected with this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER in a register to be appropriated for that purpose; and shall, under the directions of the Great Master, prepare all Warrants and other Instruments to be passed under the Seal of the Order and engross the same; that he shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, a copy of these Statutes to every Knight or Dame Grand Cross and Knight or Dame Commander, at or immediately after Investiture, if he or she be Invested or with the Insignia and Warrant of Dispensation, if that Ceremony be dispensed with; and shall likewise cause to be delivered, a copy of these Statutes to every Companion of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER, immediately after nomination; that he shall summon the Knights and Dames Grand Cross to attend The Sovereign at all Investitures of this Order; that in all ceremonies of the Order he shall be habited in a mantle like unto that assigned to the King of Arms of this Order, and shall wear around his neck, pendent to a chain of gold, an Escutcheon of gold enamelled on a field Azure, three arched imperial crowns, one and two Or, having in the centre a representation of a book bound Gules, the leaves thereof Or, surmounted by two pens saltirewise Argent, the whole surrounded by the circle and motto of the Order, and surmounted by an arched imperial crown; and that in all other ceremonials and assemblies he shall wear the Escutcheon of office around his neck, pendent to a Riband similar to that assigned to Civil Knights and Dames Commander.

Registrar and Secretary.

His Duties.

His Mantle and Insignia.

Thirty-fourth.—It is Ordained that the Genealogist of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER shall be appointed by Us, Our heirs and successors; that in all ceremonies of the Order he shall be habited in a mantle like unto that appointed for Bath King of Arms, and wear around his neck, pendent to a chain of gold, an Escutcheon of gold, enamelled on a field Azure, three arched imperial crowns, one and two Or, having in the centre the Cypher or letters [G and G intertwined]; and that in all other ceremonials and assemblies he shall wear the Escutcheon of office around his neck pendent to a Riband similar to that assigned to Civil Knights and Dames Commander.

Genealogist.

His Mantle and Insignia.

Thirty-fifth.—It is Ordained that the Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER shall be appointed by Us, Our heirs and successors; that in all ceremonies of the Order he shall be habited in a mantle like unto that appointed for the Registrar and Secretary, and wear around his neck, pendent to a chain of gold, an Escutcheon of gold, enamelled on a field Azure, three arched imperial crowns, one and two Or, surrounded with the circle and motto of the Order, and surmounted by an arched imperial crown; and that he shall carry the Scarlet Rod of this Order, having at the top an escrol, thereon the motto of the Order, surmounted by three arched imperial crowns, all gold; and that in all other ceremonials and assemblies he shall wear the Escutcheon of office around his neck, pendent to a Riband similar to that assigned to Civil Knights and Dames Commander.

Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod.

His Mantle and Insignia.

Thirty-sixth.—It is Ordained that the Deputy Secretary of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER shall be the person for the time being holding the office of Secretary of the Central Chancery of Our Orders of Knighthood; that he shall assist the Registrar and Secretary of this MOST HONOURABLE ORDER in the performance of his duties; that in all ceremonies of the Order he shall be habited in a Mantle like unto that appointed for the Registrar and Secretary, and wear around his neck, pendent to a chain of gold, an Escutcheon of gold, enamelled on a field Azure, three arched imperial crowns, one and two Or, having in the centre a representation of a book bound Gules, the leaves thereof Or, surmounted by a pen in bend sinister, Argent, the whole surrounded by the circle and motto of the Order, and surmounted by an arched imperial crown; and that in all other ceremonials and assemblies he shall wear the Escutcheon of office around his neck, pendent to a Riband similar to that assigned to Civil Knights and Dames Commander.

Deputy Secretary. 

His Duties.

His Mantle and Insignia.

Thirty-seventh.—It is Ordained that all and every of the Officers of this Order shall, over and above the duties more specifically imposed by the foregoing Statutes, execute diligently whatsoever The Sovereign or Great Master may be pleased to command touching the interests of the said Order; and it is hereby declared that the said Offices of King of Arms, Registrar and Secretary, Genealogist, Gentleman Usher, and Deputy Secretary shall be holden during good behaviour. And they are hereby authorised to wear the Badges appropriated to them respectively by these Statutes, pendent to Ribands of the same colour and width as have been appointed for the Companions, save and except upon "Collar Days", Investitures of the Order, and other public solemnities, when they shall be worn from gold chains.

Officers of the Order to execute orders of Sovereign and Great Master.

Thirty-eighth.—It is Ordained that, when We, Our heirs or successors shall be pleased to nominate and appoint any person to this Order, such appointment shall be made by Warrant under Our Royal Sign Manual, sealed with the Seal of this Order, and countersigned by the Great Master of the said Order.

Appointment to the Order to be made by Warrant.

Thirty-ninth, and lastly.—We do hereby command and enjoin that these Statutes, and every article thereof, shall be inviolably kept and observed within Our said Order, reserving to Ourself, Our heirs and successors, the power of annulling, altering, abrogating, augmenting, interpreting, or dispensing with the same, or any portion thereof, by a notification sealed with the Seal of the Order; which alterations, abrogations, augmentations, interpretations, or dispensations shall be taken and received as part and parcel of these Statutes.

GIVEN, under the Seal of the said Order, at Our Court at Saint James's this Thirteenth day of June, One thousand, nine hundred and ninety-five in the Forty-fourth Year of Our Reign.

BY HER MAJESTY'S COMMAND
CHARLES P.
Great Master.

Sovereign reserves power to alter any Statute.