Prince Edward, Duke of Kent joined King Charles III for the Service of the Order of St Michael and St George at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on May 7th, which is the first time the King has attended the Service as Sovereign.
King Charles III, Sovereign, and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, Grand Master since 1967, attended the Service of Dedication and Commemoration for the Order of St Michael and St George at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
For the first time, the King wore the Sovereign’s Mantle and Star of the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George.
Created by the Prince Regent (George IV) in 1818, the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George is granted to recognize “services rendered to the Crown in relation to the foreign affairs of the Empire.” It consists of the Sovereign, a Grand Master (since 1967 HRH The Duke of Kent), and up to 125 Knights/Dames Grand Cross, 375 Knight/Dame Commanders, and 1750 Companions. A service is held every four years at a chapel in St Paul’s Cathedral. The Badge is a seven-armed star in white enamel, with a central disc depicting St Michael trampling Satan on the front, and St George on horseback slaying a dragon on the back, worn at the hip of the Sash in Saxon blue with a central crimson stripe. The gold Collar has alternating links featuring crowned lions, Maltese crosses, and the ciphers ‘SM’ and ‘SG’, at the center are two winged lions each holding a book and seven arrows, surmounted by an imperial crown. The seven-armed silver Star, features a red St George’s cross with a center disc featureing a depiction of St Michael trampling Satan, encircled with a blue ring bearing the motto of the Order – Auspicium Melioris Aevi (Token of a better age). The Order of St Michael and St George is rarely worn by members of the Royal Family (apart from the Service), but is frequently awarded at Investitures.
