British Empire, Order of the

British order of knighthood (see knighthood, orders of) instituted in 1917 by George V. There are military and civil divisions, and the ranks are GBE, Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross; KBE, Knight Commander; DBE, Dame Commander; CBE, Commander; OBE, Officer; MBE, Member.

Membership of the order is awarded to both men and women for services rendered to the British Empire. Its motto is ‘For God and Empire’. The order uses the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral, London, as its chapel.