British History 101, as an interested party in all things both British and historical, would like to extend its warmest wishes to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales on the occasion of his 60th birthday.
This event is doubly interesting to us because of the official portrait selected by HRH for the occasion. Unfortunately, I can’t get a direct file of the photo, but if you click here you’ll see it for yourself.
I’m so interested because of what he’s wearing, and more specifically the medals. The photo I linked up has a description of those medals, which reads “Charles’ medals (from left): Queen’s Service Order (New Zealand) which he received in 1983, Coronation Medal (1953), Silver Jubilee Medal (1977), Gold Jubilee Medal (2002), Canadian Forces Decoration (1991), a 15-year bar received in 2006, New Zealand Commemorative Medal (1990),” and the BBC story covering the portrait gives us this bit about the rest of his shiny accoutrements – all important to listeners of past episodes of the show, for reasons you will read!:
“s well as the medals (for details, see picture caption) the prince is pictured wearing three breast stars.
At the top is the Most Noble Order of the Garter (Knight) which he received in 1968.
Below it on the left is the Most Ancient and the Most Noble Order of The Thistle (Knight) which Charles was awarded in 1977.
On the right is the Most Honourable Order of the Bath Great Master (Military) which the Prince received in 1975.
Charles is also wearing two neck orders, the Order of Merit received in 2002 and the Most Honourable Order of the Bath Great Master (Military) which he received in 1975.
The blue sash across the Prince’s chest is The Most Noble Order of the Garter which has his Army Flying Wings at the shoulder.
The aiguillette – the gold braid at the Prince’s right shoulder – recognises his appointment as the Queen’s Aide-de-Camp (ADC).”
Wonderful! And again, happy birthday!
British History 101 
