Articles - Miscellaneous

The Queens Guide Badge

The Queens Guide Badge (Guiding's Highest Award) was originally introduced in 1946 when the late Queen Mother was Queen Elizabeth.

It was developed as a special test for Guides with the aim of producing the best type of all-round person. As Queen, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, gave permission for the award to carry the insignia of her crown, enhancing the honour of this royal badge.
Over the past 56 years, the badge programme has been developed to remain contemporary with the challenges young women face. It now carries the crown of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to continue the prestige of the award.

In 1983 the "new Style" Queens Guide Award, with its distinctive silver badge became part of the senior section programme and is worked for by Rangers, Young Leaders and Guiders between the ages of 16 - 26.

For the past two years Girlguiding UK has been campaigning to find people who have completed the Queen's Guide Badge at any time since its conception. Already more than 18,000 women have come forward nationwide.

Within Roundhay District I have the names of about 25 people who completed the Original award between 1970 and 1983, and I know of 2 people who have completed the new style award. If any of our current 16+ senior section members would like more information about starting the award, I would be delighted to hear from them.

If anyone is able to provide information about people who have completed the award at any time, could they also please get in touch.

Many thanks
Jane Murray - Commissioner for Girlguiding Roundhay District Leeds

25 January, 2004