The British Ceremonial Arts Ltd film about Laura Coryton receiving her MBE at Windsor Castle.
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00:00 At 8 o'clock in the morning, the Berkshire town of Windsor is already alive to another
00:07 working day. Preparations at the castle are well underway. Everything in the state rooms,
00:14 seen of many state and official occasions, is given detailed and careful attention. And
00:22 for the men and women who are anxiously making their way to the castle, it's the culmination
00:29 of many weeks of preparation. It's the day of their investiture at Windsor Castle.
00:36 A short walk from Buckingham Palace at St James's Palace is the central chancery of
00:52 the Orders of Knighthood. It's part of the Lord Chamberlain's office and is responsible
00:57 for governing the orders of chivalry and maintaining the records of all appointments within each
01:02 order. They also take the lead in organising investitures and the sending out of invitations,
01:09 together with warrants signed by the King.
01:15 Lindsay, good morning. Can we just confirm some of the numbers that we are expecting
01:23 for investitures in the next season? Looking at February, investiture X in the morning
01:29 at Windsor Castle with the Prince of Wales. 65. 65, thank you. Just turning, we've got
01:36 four in March. When the various insignia arrive from the manufacturers, each decoration is
01:41 very carefully scrutinised for blemishes and then stored in the central chancery's vaults
01:47 to await its recipient. Only a select number of investitures are held at Windsor Castle
01:54 each year and recipients and their guests are treated to a sumptuous display of art
02:02 and indeed history as they carefully make their way through this majestic building.
02:08 The honours system and the concept of the investiture as we know it today is relatively
02:13 new given that the history of the monarchy spans over a thousand years. Honours for chivalry
02:20 have been around for centuries but it was largely due to the King's great grandfather,
02:26 George V, who in 1917 established the Order of the British Empire so that honours could
02:32 be more widely given to deserving citizens from all walks of life for their contribution
02:37 to the war effort. With the ending of the First World War and the Armistice in 1918,
02:44 King George extended the range of recipients to include those from the world of science,
02:51 the arts and literature as well as the voluntary and charitable sectors.
02:59 Many countries in the world today have honours and awards of one sort or another but nowhere
03:06 is the bestowing of titles and decorations performed in such splendid surroundings and
03:19 with such grace, style and ceremony.
03:23 Laura Corriton for services to charitable campaigning.
03:30 I think one of the most important aspects of an investiture is to be able to reward
03:38 in a suitable way the selfless service and dedication of so many of these remarkable
03:45 people. People who have dedicated their lives in all sorts of unseen areas. I'm a warrior
03:53 and I'm aware, only too aware, that for the vast majority of people who come to an investiture
03:58 it is a very important moment in their lives when they have been given an honour and a
04:03 reward and a thank you for all the marvellous things they've done.
04:10 When talking with the recipients of these investitures I'm reminded of all of the great
04:14 things that they have done to earn their awards. The long service that they have given throughout
04:18 their working lives, the considerable achievements they have reached and the selfless commitments
04:23 they have made to their communities.
04:26 Those who have deserved recognition do get reached by the honour system and I've met
04:32 many of them in my travels around the UK and elsewhere. I hope that the example set by
04:38 these naturally generous and determined people will not be underestimated and especially
04:46 that they will have enjoyed the experience of today.
04:53 [Music plays]
05:00 [Music plays]
05:07 [Music plays]
05:14 [Music plays]
05:21 [Music plays]
05:28 As today's investiture comes to an end there can be little doubt that the day will have
05:49 given lasting pride and pleasure to all.
05:57 [Music plays]
06:05 [Music plays]
06:12 (upbeat music)
06:14 [music]