Medal

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George was instituted in 1818 by King George IV of the United Kingdom. It was originally reserved for inhabitants of the Ionian islands and Malta which came under British rule in 1814. In 1897 King William II instituted three classes of Knights and from then on, any UK citizen is eligible for the Order. Nowadays, the Order is usually awarded to high-ranking Civil Servants, members of the Diplomatic Corps or those who have seen distinguished service in the Commonwealth.