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King Charles III

Prince Charles receives the newly appointed Scarlet Rod

The Prince of Wales received both the outgoing and incoming Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod on Wednesday.

His Royal Highness, Great Master, the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, received Major General Charles Vyvyan as he relinquishes his appointment as Scarlet Rod.

Major Vyvyan is a retired British Army officer and was first appointed as Scarlet Rod in July 2006.

The Prince also met Major General James Gordon upon assuming the position.

General Gordon is a former British Army officer who became Commander British Forces Cyprus.

The Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod is one of six administrative and ceremonial officers of the Order of the Bath and established in 1725.

The Title ‘Scarlet Rod’ is from the characteristic insignia of the office which is a long silver gilt rod. The shaft is covered with scarlet enamel that signifies the mantles of the Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the Order.

The holders of the office have been senior military members since 1900. In 1932, the first RAF appointment held the position. Since then, the Armed Services takes turns from which branch Scarlet Rod comes from.

The officer is addressed and referred to as Scarlet Rod. He takes the fifth precedence among the brother officers of the Order, following the Genealogist and before the Deputy Secretary.

The Order of the Bath is one of the five Orders of Chivalry along with the Order of the Garter, Order of the Thistle, Order of St Michael and St George and Order of the British Empire.