The order was created to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the accession to the British throne of the House of Hanover. Until 1837 the order was frequently awarded to officers in the British
Navy and
Army, although it was still classed as a foreign order, with British members of the order not entitled to style themselves as "Sir" unless they were also created
Knights Bachelor, as many were. The British link ended in 1837 when
Hanover's royal union with Great Britain ended, with
Ernest Augustus becoming King of Hanover and
Queen Victoria ascending the British throne. When Hanover was annexed by the
Kingdom of Prussia in 1866, the order continued as a
house order to be awarded by the Royal House of Hanover. Today, its current Sovereign is the Hanoverian head of the house,
Ernst August, Prince of Hanover. ==Classes==