Order of the Crown of India - Definition and Overview

The Imperial Order of the Crown of India is an order in the British honours system.

The Order was established by Queen Victoria in 1878, when she became Empress of India. The Order was only open to women; it was discontinued after India's independence in 1947. The Order was limited to British Princesses, wives or female relatives of Indian Princes, and wives or female relatives of any person who holds or held the office of:

• Viceroy of India,
• Governor-General of India,
• Governor of Madras,
• Governor of Bombay,
• Governor of Bengal,
• Secretary of State for India,
• Commander-in-Chief in India.

The members of the Order, titled Companions, could use the post-nominals "CI," but did not acquire any special precedence or status due to it. Furthermore, they were entitled to wear the badge of the Order, which included Queen Victoria's Imperial Cypher, VRI (Victoria Regina Imperatrice). The letters were set in diamonds, pearls and turqouises, and were together surrounded by a border of pearls surmounted by a figure the Imperial Crown. The badge was worn attached to a light blue bow, edged in white, on the left shoulder.

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