This gem-set and enamel Knight Grand Cross Royal Victorian Order (GCVO), awarded to the 1st Viscount Churchill in 1902, sold for £78,000 (plus 20/15% buyer’s premium) at Bonhams on November 21. It had carried an estimate of £7000-9000.
The Royal Victorian Order was established in 1896 by Queen Victoria to recognise distinguished personal service to the monarch. There are variations on the badge for each of the five grades of the order with this, the Knight Grand Cross, being the highest. Major Victor Albert Spencer Churchill (1864-1934) served as lord chamberlain at Edward VII’s coronation in 1902 and was a lord in waiting in both of Salisbury’s governments.