Order of the Companions of Honour

Order of the Companions of Honour is an Order of Merit. It is a honor given out by the Monarch of the Commonwealth Realms. (Commonwealth Realms referring to all of the countries the British Monarch is monarch of. Not to be confused with international organization The Commonwealth of Nations).

This honor does not come with any title, but Members are entitled to use the post-nominal letters CH. The Order of the Companions of Honour’s precedence is published in the The Gazette UK’s official Order of Wear (2019). This honor is after most of the other Orders of Chilvery or Merit, only outranking the Distinguished Service Order, Order of The British Empire and the lowest grades (Lieutenant & Member) of the Royal Victorian Order & Order of the British Empire. 

This honor is given by the British monarch on the advice of the governments from the Commonwealth Realms. There can be a max of 65 Members, plus honorary members or Royal Companions. 

Grade

There is only one grade to this honor, but you may be referred to differently depending on your circumstance. 

• Member – Given to Citizens from a Commonwealth Realm
• Honorary Member – Given to those from outside a Commonwealth Realm
• Royal Companion – Given to Royals
• Has only been given to a Royal once

Given for

This honor is “awarded for having a major contribution to the arts, science, medicine, or government lasting over a long period of time.”

Motto

The Orders Motto is “IN ACTION FAITHFUL AND IN HONOUR CLEAR.” The motto comes from Alexander Pope’s description in his Epistle to Mr Addison of James Craggs, later used on Craggs’s monument in Westminster Abbey.

Insignia

The insignia of the Order of the Companions of Honour is an oval medallion with the order’s motto, topped by a royal crown and with a rectangular panel within. The panel shows a oak tree, with the shield of the UK Royal Arms hanging from one branch, and, on the left, a mounted knight in armour.

This honor only has a badge with a red with golden border threads ribbon. Men wear the badge on a neck ribbon and women on a bow at the left shoulder.

Chapel 

The ‘Home Chapel’ of the Order is The Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace. Members of the Order can request use of the Chapel for weddings, baptisms and memorial services.