First Victoria Cross investiture in Hyde Park

Background. The Victoria Cross was introduced on 29 January 1856 by Queen Victoria to honour acts of valour during the Crimean War. The original warrant specified that the medal would be awarded to officers and men who had served in the presence of the enemy and performed signal acts of valour. Queen Victoria instructed the War Office to strike a new medal that would not recognise birth or class, ensuring the award was based solely on merit and bravery.

The Investiture. The first ceremony was held on 26 June 1857 in Hyde Park, London. Queen Victoria invested 62 of the 111 Crimean recipients. The event took place in the presence of Prince Albert and other members of the Royal Family, including Crown Prince Frederick William of Prussia. This parade marked the beginning of the tradition where the British monarch personally presents the medals, a practice that has continued for the majority of awards since.

Significance. The investiture established the precedent for the personal presentation of the Victoria Cross by the reigning monarch. Although the warrant made no specific provision regarding who should present the medals, Queen Victoria's action set a standard. The medal was designed to be simple, with the name 'Victoria Cross' chosen by the Queen to avoid implying that only recipients were brave, as the original suggestion 'for the brave' was vetoed.