Editing Order of Merit (section)

==Insignia==
[[File:Order of Merit in Westminster Cathedral (cropped).jpg|thumb|150px|Reverse of the badge as awarded during the reign of Elizabeth II, 1952–2022]]
The insignia consists of a badge, which consists of a golden crown from which is suspended a red [[Vitreous enamel|enamelled]] [[cross pattée]], itself centred by a disk of blue enamel, surrounded by a [[laurel wreath]].<ref name=PoW>{{cite web| url=http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/forchildren/medalsanduniforms/medals/index.html| publisher=Clarence House| title=For Children > Medals and Uniforms > Medals > Picture 4: The Order of Merit| access-date=29 July 2009| archive-date=1 March 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301063907/http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/forchildren/medalsanduniforms/medals/index.html| url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Obverse and reverse|obverse]] of the badge's central disk bears the words ''FOR MERIT'' in gold lettering, while the reverse bears the [[royal cypher]] of the reigning monarch in gold. The insignia for the military grouping is distinguished by a pair of crossed swords behind the central disk.<ref name="gg.ca"/>

The [[ribbon]] of the Order of Merit is divided into two stripes of red and blue. The neck ribbon is 50mm in width, while the ribbon bar width is the standard British 32mm size for military or civilian wear.<ref>{{cite web |title=British Order of Merit: Collingwood Ltd |url=https://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/585429.1 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=[[National Trust Collections]] |id=NT 585429.1}}</ref>  Men wear their badges on a neck ribbon (as a [[necklet]]), while women wear theirs on a ribbon bow pinned to the left shoulder, and [[Aide-de-camp|aides-de-camp]] may wear the insignia on their [[aiguillette]]s.<ref name=PoW/> 

Since 1991, the insignia must be returned upon the recipient's death.<ref>{{Harvnb| Martin| 2007| p=56}}</ref>