Royal Warrant - Additional Statute of the Order of Merit Regarding Badges [1991-04-15]

ELIZABETH R.

ELIZABETH THE SECOND, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, and Sovereign of the Order of Merit, to all to whom these Presents shall come:

Greeting!

Recites Statutes of 14th April, 1987.

WHEREAS by the Statutes of the Order of Merit dated the Fourteenth day of April, One thousand nine hundred and eighty-seven, power was reserved to the Sovereign of the Order of annulling, altering, abrogating, augmenting, interpreting or dispensing with the said Statutes, or any part thereof, by a notification under the Sign Manual of the Sovereign of the Order.

Cancelling of Statute IX.

NOW THEREFORE, by virtue of the power and authority vested in Us as Sovereign of the said Order of Merit, We do hereby abrogate and annul Statute IX of the said Order, and in substitution therefor We do make, ordain and establish the following Statute:—

Badge of the Order.

IX.—It is ordained that the Members of this Order shall wear the Badge of the Order, which shall consist of a Cross of red and blue enamel of eight points, having, within a laurel wreath upon a centre of blue enamel, the motto of the Order, that is to say: "For Merit", in letters of gold; on the reverse, within a laurel wreath, upon a centre of blue enamel, Our Royal Cypher in gold, the whole being surmounted by Our Imperial Crown enamelled in proper colours. Members who are men shall suspend the Badge from a parti-coloured riband of Garter blue and crimson, round the neck. Members who are women shall attach the Badge to a similar riband tied in a bow on the left shoulder. Members appointed for distinguished and meritorious services in Our Armed Forces shall wear a like Badge with the addition of two silver swords with gold hilts, placed saltirewise between the angles of the Cross.

Arrangements for Return of Badge of the Order.

It is further ordained that all Members, Ordinary and Honorary who, after the date of this Additional Statute, shall receive the Badges of this Order shall make arrangements for their return to the Central Chancery of Our Orders of Knighthood on their decease; and We are pleased to declare that every Member, Ordinary and Honorary, who receives the Badge of this Order shall upon receiving it, give a written undertaking and promise to fulfil the provisions of this Statute.

GIVEN under the Seal of the aforesaid Order of Merit at Our Court at Saint James's this Fifteenth day of April, One thousand nine hundred and ninety-one, in the Fortieth Year of Our Reign.

BY HER MAJESTY'S COMMAND,

EDWARD FORD
Secretary and Registrar.