06-13-2008, 10:33 AM
BY THE KING A PROCLAMATION
Concerning the reorganization and reform of the honours system in the Realm.
Alexander R. & I.
While this has indeed been the case, We have noticed that, because of the lack of strict guidelines governing the divers Orders of Chivalry, there has been some confusion over the ranks in the Orders, and indeed who and how many citizens should receive them. This is especially true for the higher ranks of the Orders that were given out to recognize achievements that, while worthy of recognition, were not appropriate in all cases.
In order to more fully explore the complex issue at hand We instructed Our Government to investigate the current honours system and see in what ways it might be improved. By and with the advice of Our trusty ministers, We have decided that the best course would be to reform and reorganize the honours system in Our Kingdom, as follows:
1. The Most Illustrious Order of the Act shall remain the highest honour bestowed upon any individual in Our Realm. In order to enhance its prestige, the Order will be limited to ten members in a single rank, and shall be awarded only to those who have made truly lasting contributions to the Kingdom. The Order shall be awarded on Hanover Day and New Year’s Day.
2. The Most Excellent Order of Hanover shall now be an award given once a year on Hanover Day in recognition to the individual who, We feel, has contributed most to the development of the Kingdom. This position, however, shall not confer knighthood.
3. The Most Distinguished Order of the Rose shall remain essentially unchanged, but new requirements for admission and certain new rules of governance shall be instituted. Citizens will, for example, be required to pass through at least one of the lower ranks before reaching knighthood. The aforesaid Order shall be awarded on Hanover Day and New Year’s Day.
Given at Our Court of St. George’s Palace this Seventeenth Day of June in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Eight.
GOD SAVE THE KING!