Order of the Bath

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a prestigious British order of chivalry awarded by the monarch of the United Kingdom. Established on May 18, 1725, by King George I, the Order recognizes exceptional service to the Crown. It is one of the oldest and most senior orders in the British honours system, blending medieval tradition with contemporary recognition of military and civil merit.

The Order is divided into two distinct branches: the Civil Division and the Military Division. Each carries its own motto; the Civil Division uses Tria juncta in uno ('Three joined in one'), while the Military Division uses Ich dien ('I serve').

Coat of arms of the British monarch as sovereign of the Order of the Bath

Key Facts

Mildmay Fane, 2nd Earl of Westmorland, KB, with sash, c. 1630

Founded: May 18, 1725, by King George I.
Sovereign: King Charles III.
Great Master: William, Prince of Wales.
Highest Rank: Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GCB).
Chapel: Henry VII Chapel in Westminster Abbey.
Eligibility: Awarded for distinguished service to the Crown.

History and Evolution

Admiral Lord Rodney (appointed a Knight Companion in 1780) wearing the riband and star of the Order

Foundation and Early Years

Upon its creation in 1725, the Order initially consisted of Knights Companion (KB). The early membership was diverse, including members of the House of Commons, diplomats, naval and army officers, and the Royal Household. Notably, Sir Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister, utilized the Order for political patronage.

Sir Robert Walpole, who as Prime Minister used the Order for political patronage

While the original statutes outlined elaborate medieval ceremonies for creating knights, these were largely dispensed with by the Great Master. The Installation ceremony, however, was performed in the Order's Chapel at Westminster Abbey until 1812, after which it was paused until its 20th-century revival.

Westminster Abbey with a procession of Knights of the Bath, by Canaletto, 1749

Restructuring and Modernization

The Order underwent significant restructuring in 1815 to expand its capacity and refine its grades. Further revisions occurred in 1847 and 1925 to consolidate statutes and modernize the Order's administration. A landmark change occurred in 1971 when women were first admitted to the Order, with Jean Nunn becoming the first female member. In 1975, Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, became the first woman to achieve the highest rank of Dame Grand Cross.

Composition and Hierarchy

Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Callaghan wearing the insignia of a military Companion of the Order

The Order is led by the Sovereign, with the Great Master serving as the next-most senior member. The current Great Master is William, Prince of Wales, who succeeded King Charles III in 2024.

Grades of the Order

The Order is organized into three primary levels of membership:

Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GCB): The highest rank, limited to 120 members.
Knight/Dame Commander (KCB/DCB): The second rank, limited to 355 members.
Companion (CB): The third rank.

Summary of the Order of the Bath Structure
Rank	Post-nominal	Membership Limit	Division
Knight/Dame Grand Cross	GCB	120	Civil & Military
Knight/Dame Commander	KCB / DCB	355	Civil & Military
Companion	CB	N/A	Civil & Military

Insignia and Heraldry

Sir Alexander Milne (1808–1896) was concurrently KCB (civil division) and GCB (military division); he is pictured wearing both sets of insignia.

The insignia of the Order varies by rank and division. Knights Grand Cross wear a mantle, a riband (sash), and a star. In the 19th century, these mantles were worn over imitations of 17th-century dress, but they are now worn over contemporary attire.

Prince Albert, the Prince Consort, Great Master 1843–1861. During the 19th century, Knights Grand Cross wore their mantles over imitations of 17th-century dress. They now wear them over contemporary attire.

The Military Division's insignia is distinct from the Civil Division's. For example, the star and neck badge for a Knight Commander of the Civil Division differ in design from those of the Military Division. These honors are often represented in heraldry through the use of a circlet and collar surrounding the recipient's coat of arms.

The insignia of a Knight Grand Cross of the civil division of the order

The insignia of a Knight Grand Cross of the military division of the order

The Order's Chapel

The spiritual home of the Order is the Henry VII Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey. This site houses the banners of the senior Knights and Dames Grand Cross, serving as a permanent record of the Order's most distinguished members.

Banners of the senior Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in the Henry VII Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey

Frequently Asked Questions

Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Johns in his service dress uniform, wearing the star, riband, and badge of a military Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath

Sash and star of Grand Cross, civil division

Admiral Sir George Zambellas KCB (military division)

An embroidered representation, or "chaton", of the star of the civil division of the Order

Star and neck badge of a Knight Commander of the civil division of the order

Coat of arms of the Marquess of Carisbrooke (1886–1960) with the circlet and collar as Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath.

Coat of arms of the Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath

Who is the current Sovereign of the Order of the Bath?

The current Sovereign is King Charles III.

When were women first allowed to join the Order?

Women were admitted to the Order in 1971, with Jean Nunn being the first woman appointed.

What is the difference between the Civil and Military divisions?

The divisions recognize different types of service to the Crown; they have different mottos (Tria juncta in uno for Civil and Ich dien for Military) and distinct insignia.

What are the three grades of the Order?

The three grades are Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GCB), Knight/Dame Commander (KCB/DCB), and Companion (CB).

Where are the banners of the Knights Grand Cross kept?

The banners are located in the Henry VII Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey.