The Royal Victorian Order and Medal have been used since 1896 to honour Canadians who have rendered extraordinary or personal services to the Sovereign, while the Royal Victorian Chain was instituted in 1902. The Vice-Regal and Commissioners' Commendations are valuable awards presented by lieutenant-governors and territorial commissioners for important services to a viceregal or territorial commissioner; lieutenant-governors, territorial commissioners, and their spouses are accorded royal recognition through the Vice-Regal and Commissioners' Recognition Badges.
Christopher McCreery has served as an advisor to the British and Canadian governments on questions related to honours policy. His books The Canadian Honours System and The Order of Canada are the principal works on the history of honours in Canada. A respected historian, McCreery is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society.