History

The Royal Household Service Medal was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1872 to reward servants of the royal household for 25 years of long and faithful service. The qualifying period of service was reduced to 20 years by King George V.

A clasp is awarded to denote an additional 10 years of service.

There are different versions of the Medal which vary in design according to reigning monarch at the time of issue. The Medal features a suspension bar that depicts a crowned royal cypher of the ruling monarch. Queen Victoria and King Edward VII versions feature an elaborate suspension, while later versions feature a plain suspension that is inscribed with the recipient's years of service. The first and second versions are smaller in size and feature the recipient's name, date of the award, and service recognized on the reverse. Versions of the Medal instituted since King George V depict the reverse inscription, "FOR LONG AND FAITHFUL SERVICE." A different ribbon is worn with the different versions to represent each monarch.

It is uncertain if later versions are officially named and there may be additional versions of the Medal that vary by design and composition.