Knight Grand Cross

See also: Grand Cross

Knight Grand Cross (or Dame Grand Cross) is the most senior grade of seven British orders of chivalry, three of which are obsolete. The rank entails admission into knighthood, allowing the recipient to use the title 'Sir' (male) or 'Dame' (female) before his or her name. In the British system of precedence, Knights (and Dames) Grand Cross rank after Baronets and Baronesses and the senior orders of England, Scotland and Ireland (the Order of the Garter, the Order of the Thistle and the obsolete Order of St. Patrick respectively), and before the Order of the Companions of Honour, interspersed with the Order of Merit, Baronets, and the Order of the Crown of India.

The Orders that award the rank of Knight (or Dame) Grand Cross, and related post-nominal letters, are (obsolete orders in italics):

• Order of the Bath (GCB)
• Order of the Star of India (GCSI)
• Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG)
• Royal Guelphic Order (GCH)
• Order of the Indian Empire (GCIE)
• Royal Victorian Order (GCVO)
• Order of the British Empire (GBE)

The next most senior rank in each order is that of Knight Commander (or Dame Commander).

Knights (or Dames) Grand Cross are entitled to wear a ceremonial uniform, which may include a mantle, a hat, and a gold collar. Other insignia include a breast star, a badge, and a ribbon.

The title Knight Grand Cross is also the English translation of a superior or supreme grade of a number of orders of chivalry awarded by other countries (e.g., Italian: Cavaliere di Gran Croce Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana, French: Grand Croix Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur)