The medal bears the effigy and name of the reigning sovereign at the time of its awarding, as well as the phrase "DEI • GRATIA • REGINA (or REX) • F.D." (by the grace of God, Queen (or King), Defender of the Faith), and on the reverse is the Royal Cypher upon an ornamental shield within a laurel wreath. Bars may be awarded to each class of medal for further services, and should recipients be awarded a higher level of medal or be appointed to a grade of the order itself, they may continue to wear their original medal along with the new insignia.