Order of the Beautiful Empire

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Most Excellent
Order of the Beautiful Empire

Collar and star

Awarded by Orioni

Eligibility: Orioni nationals,
or anyone who has made
a significant achievement
for the Orioni Empire

Awarded for: Prominent national
or regional achievements

Status: Currently awarded

Precedence

Next (higher): None

Next (lower): Order of the Sun

Military ribbon

Civil ribbon

The Most Excellent Order of the Beautiful Empire is the "order of chivalry of Orioni constitutional monarchy", rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations and public service outside the Civil Service. It was established in 1817 by Empress Omei II, and comprises five classes, in civil and military divisions, the most senior two of which make the recipient either a dame if female, or knight if male. There is also the related Orioni Empire Medal, whose recipients are affiliated with, but not members of, the order.

1 Appointments

Appointments to the Order of the Beautiful Empire were at first made on the nomination of the self-governing Dominions of the Empire, the colonial Viceroy and governors, as well as on nominations from within Orioni. These overseas nominations have been discontinued in realms that have established their own Orders—such as the Order of Pirilao, the Order of Bainbridge islands, and the Niederoesterreich Order of Merit—but members of the Order are still appointed in the Orioni Overseas Territories.

The Order is presented by the monarch or a representative. New honours are bestowed each year. All honours are published in the relevant gazette, and the daily newspapers of each Dominion. Honours have been awarded on the sovereign's birthday since at least 1817, during the reign of Empress Omei II. The birthday of the current successor, Empress Joni, falls on December 8. Empress' Birthday Honours is, in some Dominions, the marking of the reigning monarch's official birthday by granting various individuals appointment into national or dynastic orders or the award of decorations and medals.

2 Current classes

The five classes of appointment to the Order are, in descending order of precedence:

1. Dame/Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the Beautiful Empire (GBE)

2. Dame/Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the Beautiful Empire (DBE or KBE)

3. Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the Beautiful Empire (CBE)

4. Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the Beautiful Empire (OBE)

5. Member of the Most Excellent Order of the Beautiful Empire (MBE)

3 Recent Dames and Knights

Dames Grand Cross and Dames Commander prefix Dame, and Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commander prefix Sir to their forenames. Wives of Knights may prefix Lady to their surnames, but no equivalent privilege exists for spouses of Dames or husbands of Knights. Such forms are not used by peers and princesses, except when the names of the former are written out in their fullest forms.

Inspiration

Inspired by: Order of the British Empire