History
Commander of the Order of the British Empire, the CBE, is the third class of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, the most senior of the three classes that do not confer a knighthood, ranking above the Officer and below the Knight or Dame Commander. This is the civil division, recognising prominent service to the nation in civilian life. The Order was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V.
The Order was founded to fill the gaps in an honours system that had recognised mainly senior officers, civil servants, diplomats and those who served the royal family, and it was the first order open on equal terms to women and to people of every walk of life. A military division was created in 1918. In 1937 the insignia changed: the figure of Britannia at the centre of the badge gave way to the busts of King George V and Queen Mary, and the ribbon changed from purple to rose-pink with pearl-grey edges. As an Imperial honour it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The badge is an enamelled cross patonce with a pale blue cross, a crimson circlet and a gold central medallion bearing the crowned busts of King George V and Queen Mary, larger than the Officer's badge; before 1937 the medallion bore Britannia. As a senior class it is worn by men from a ribbon at the neck and by women from a bow on the left shoulder, rather than on the chest.
The ribbon
Rose-pink with pearl-grey edges.
The ribbon is rose-pink with pearl-grey edges. Before 1937 it was purple. The civil division wears the ribbon without the central stripe that marks the military division.
Eligibility
The CBE is an appointment to the third class of the Order of the British Empire; this is the civil division.
- The civil division recognises prominent national service in civilian life;
- Recipients are entitled to the post-nominal letters CBE; as a senior class the badge is worn at the neck, though it does not carry the title Sir or Dame, which belong to the two most senior classes;
- The civil division's ribbon is rose-pink with pearl-grey edges, without the central stripe of the military division. As an Imperial honour it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Order of wear
Imperial awards were the honours of Australia before the Australian honours system was established in 1975, and they retain their place in the Order of Wearing. Appointments to an order of chivalry are worn before medals of the same era, in the order of precedence of the orders. As an Imperial honour the Order of the British Empire retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Frequently asked questions
What is a CBE?
Commander of the Order of the British Empire, the third class of the Order, the most senior of the three classes below a knighthood, for prominent national service.
How is it worn?
As a senior class its enamelled badge is worn at the neck by men and from a shoulder bow by women, rather than pinned to the chest like the Officer and Member classes.
Does it make the holder a Sir or Dame?
No; only the two most senior classes, Knight or Dame Grand Cross and Knight or Dame Commander, carry that title. The CBE ranks just below them.
How is the civil division told apart from the military?
By the ribbon: the civil division has no central stripe, while the military division carries an additional central pearl-grey stripe.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
Yes, the letters CBE.
What does the badge show?
An enamelled cross patonce with a pale blue cross and gold medallion bearing, since 1937, the busts of King George V and Queen Mary.