For the German Emperor himself, who was already a Knight of the Garter, the King had reserved a special sign of his affection, which the London Gazette announced in the following terms:—
“War Office, Pall Mall, 27th January 1901.
“The King has been pleased to appoint His Majesty William II., German Emperor, King of Prussia, K.G., G.C.V.O., Colonel-in-Chief 1st (Royal) Dragoons, Honorary Admiral of the Fleet, to be a Field-Marshal in the Army, on the occasion of the Anniversary of His Majesty’s Birthday.
“The Commission dated 27th January 1901.”
In telegrams to Lord Salisbury and Lord Roberts, announcing that this honour had been conferred on him, His Imperial Majesty demonstrated the great gratification which it afforded him. Not long afterwards the German Emperor conferred on Lord Roberts the Order of the Black Eagle, the highest decoration in his power to bestow.
The honour bestowed on the King of Portugal is particularly interesting, as it is believed to be the first instance in which a foreign Royal personage has been appointed Colonel-in-Chief of a line regiment. It was thus officially announced:—
“War Office, Pall Mall, 19th February 1901.
“The Oxfordshire Light Infantry.
“His Majesty Charles I., King of Portugal and Algarves, K.G., to be Colonel-in-Chief. Dated 20th February 1901.”
Of the other Royal personages who attended the funeral of Queen Victoria, the Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovitch of Russia, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, and the Crown Prince of Sweden and Norway were appointed Honorary Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, and Prince Charles of Denmark was made an Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and an Honorary Lieutenant in the British Navy. Prince Christian, the Duke of Teck, Prince Louis of Battenberg, the Duke of Argyll, and the Duke of Fife became Knights Grand Cross, and the youthful Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, better known as the Duke of Albany, became an Honorary Knight Grand Cross, of the Royal Victorian Order.