Frequently Asked Questions
The Questions Page is updated from time to time...Here is a small selection we are often asked:
(1) IS THE ORDER OF THE COMMONWEALTH IN ANY WAY ASSOCIATED WITH HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND OR THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH ?
This Order is a private institution founded by a 'fons honorum' or a person who is an authentic source of Titles, The Prince DOUGLAS de Clermont. The order was founded as a tribute to the DECLARATION OF COMMONWEALTH PRINCIPLES, inaugurated at Singapore in 1971. It is not a public institution of the British Crown. The Prince Grand Master is the direct descendant of the last reigning King of the Picts. The Prince Douglas is also a Prince Grand Master and a Prince recognised by the Orthodox Church and by the Russian College of Heraldry.
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(2) IF I AM ACCEPTED AS A KNIGHT OF THE COMMONWEALTH, DO I RECEIVE A COAT OF ARMS FROM THE COLLEGE OF HERALDS?
Coats of Arms are not a part of the grant of a life peerage, but may be applied for separately from the Chancellery. Such arms are recognised by and may be displayed in the Russian College of Heraldry. See details under RCOH on our main index page.
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(3) IF I APPLY FOR A TITLE TO BE GRANTED AND ENCLOSE PAYMENT OF PASSAGE FEES DOES THIS AUTOMATICALLY MEAN THAT A TITLE WILL BE GRANTED TO ME?
Absolutely Not! - H.E. The Prince Douglas has a strict criteria for selecting candidates to be granted titles. This obviously means that not everyone who applies will be accepted. If a person is unsuccessful, their cheque or bankers draft for the payment of passage fees will be returned uncashed at the earliest possible convienience.
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(4) IS IT USUAL TO PAY A FEE WHEN PETITIONING FOR A KNIGHTHOOD?
This is standard to all Orders of Chivalry, including those of the British Crown. Titles in and of themselves which are obtained from the Prince Grand Master cannot be bought, but an investiture or passage fee is requested to cover the costs of the issuance of the instruments of investiture.
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(5) IF I AM ACCEPTED AS A KNIGHT OF THE ORDER OF THE COMMONWEALTH, WHAT AM I EXPECTED TO DO?
First and Foremost, one should be prepared to try and act in a way that is worthy of one's new station. A willingness to accept the Declaration of Commonwealth Principles is also implied by application for membership. Also, one will already have demonstrated one's worthiness for admission to the Order in one's application documents
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(6) I HAVE A QUESTION THAT IS NOT FEATURED ON THIS SITE - OR REQUIRE FURTHER INFORMATION ?
We would be pleased to answer any questions you may have concerning our personal web site, i.e. General Site Feedback, Comments, Missing/Broken Links by clicking here
Enquiries regarding membership, applications etc should be directed to the main Peerage Conferred Website of which a link is featured on our main index page. Alternatively you can write to :
HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRINCE DOUGLAS c/o THE CHANCELLERY, PO BOX #1944, VICTORIA, BC. CANADA, V8W 3A8
(7) CAN YOU PAY THE PASSAGE FEE/S VIA CREDIT/DEBIT CARD/PAYPAL ?
The Chancellery recently trialled the "Invoice by E-mail" Service from PayPal which allowed persons petitioning for Honours to pay for their passage fees by Credit or Debit Card. Regretfully because of the very high cost of processing the transactions, it was felt that it was not cost effective to continue with the service. The situation will be reviewed on a periodic basis !
(8) I HAVE READ CLAIMS ON SOME INTERNET WEB SITES THAT CAST DOUBT ON THE VALIDITY OF THE ORDER - ARE THEY TRUE ?
NO ABSOLUTELY NOT! We draw your attention to our Order Assassins & Grumps Page which explains in detail as to why these people make up such claims. Usually these are people who have either applied to our order and been rejected as wholly unsuitable. Equally they may be part of a rival order & are purely out to make mischief. - We believe that the best of course of action is to simply ignore these people as they are not worthy of comment.
S.I.O.C.
Copyright © [2007]. All rights reserved.
Revised: September 23, 2007.