Royal Victorian Medal

The medal has three levels – bronze, silver, and gold. Medal bars may be awarded to each level of medal to denote subsequent awards. Recipients may continue to wear their original medal if they are awarded a higher level for further service. The medal may also be worn in addition to the insignia of the Royal Victorian Order if the latter is subsequently awarded. Recipients are entitled to use the post-nominal letters RVM.

• Name — Royal Victorian Medal • Type — Decoration • Eligibility — British and Commonwealth citizens and non-commissioned personnel • Awarded For — Personal service to the Sovereign or royal family • Status — Currently awarded • Post Nominals — RVM • Established — April 1896 • Higher — Dependent on realm • Lower — Dependent on realm • Caption2 — Ribbon of the medal

In creating the Royal Victorian Order in 1896, Queen Victoria decided to include a medal as part of this dynastic order. The medal would be used to reward those who had rendered faithful service to the monarch or the royal family, but were deemed ineligible to be appointed to any orders of chivalry because of their social position or class. This creation followed the precedent of other European monarchs, who had royal household medals with which to reward domestic servants. The first medals were received on 7 July 1896 and were presented to Russians by the Duke of Connaught while he was in Russia for the coronation of Tsar Nicholas II. On 14 May 1912, King George V further confirmed the institution of the medal with an additional royal warrant. The medal has been historically used to recognise the service of police officers, who work in protective services, as well as gardeners, housekeepers, drivers, valets, and other similar type of staff. Non-commissioned members of the military may also be awarded the medal for services. It is often given for service to the monarch or royal family during royal visits. The medal may be looked upon as a long service medal, but the service must be of a meritorious character to warrant its award. Originally ranked near the end, the medal now ranks ahead of campaign, jubilee, efficiency, and long service medals in the United Kingdom Order of Wear. This gradual increase in importance was marked by the July 1980 approval, by Queen Elizabeth II, to allow the use of the postnominal RVM by recipients of the medal.

Some orders of precedence are as follows: • | Country — Preceding — Following • Australia Order of precedence — Australian Antarctic Medal King's Gallantry Medal (Pre 1992) — Commendation for Gallantry British Empire Medal (Pre 1992) • Canada Order of precedence — Meritorious Service Medal — Sacrifice Medal • New Zealand Order of precedence — New Zealand Bravery Medal — King's Service Medal • United Kingdom Order of precedence — King's Gallantry Medal — British Empire Medal