Royal Family Order of George IV

The Royal Family Order of George IV is an honour that was bestowed as a mark of personal esteem on female members of the British royal family by King George IV. It was the first Royal Family Order issued in the United Kingdom. Prior to George IV's accession in 1820, both ladies and gentlemen of the Court, as well as female members of the royal family, had worn the Sovereign's portrait set in a jewelled frame. George IV formalised the order.

Appearance
King George IV's Royal Family Order was rather ornate in appearance, and the frame that surrounded his portrait was of diamond oak leaves and acorns. The badge was worn on "a blue ribbon on the left shoulder", as noted in Letters of Queen Victoria. 1st series I p.16.. Examples of the order in the Royal Collection are in at least three different designs (items RCIN 441442, RCIN 441443, and RCIN 441444 ).

List of known recipients

 * The Queen of Württemberg, sister of George IV
 * Princess Augusta Sophia of the United Kingdom, sister of George IV
 * The Landgravine of Hesse-Homburg, sister of George IV
 * Princess Mary, Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh, sister of George IV
 * Princess Sophia of the United Kingdom, sister of George IV
 * The Duchess of Clarence and St Andrews, sister-in-law of George IV
 * The Duchess of Kent and Strathearn, sister-in-law of George IV
 * The Duchess of Cumberland and Teviotdale, sister-in-law of George IV
 * The Duchess of Cambridge, sister-in-law of George IV
 * Princess Sophia of Gloucester, first cousin of George IV
 * Princess Victoria of Kent, later Queen Victoria, niece of George IV
 * Princess Augusta of Cambridge, niece of George IV
 * Princess Dorothea Lieven