Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO)

On 04/06/2015, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) by Queen Elizabeth II. The honour is part of the Royal Victorian Order, a distinction personally granted by the monarch to individuals who have provided direct service to the sovereign. The KCVO is not awarded based on government recommendation but is given at the discretion of the monarch, making it a personal recognition of service. In Prince Harry’s case, the honour reflected his contributions through official duties and his role within the Royal Family at the time, alongside his military service in the British Army. Unlike certain honorary roles or appointments that are linked to active royal duties, the Royal Victorian Order is a lifetime honour and is not dependent on an individual’s status as a working member of the Royal Family. As such, Prince Harry has retained the KCVO following his decision to step back from official royal responsibilities in 2020. The award remains part of his formal list of honours, signifying recognition granted directly by Queen Elizabeth II for service to the monarchy.