In March 1840, within a month of his marriage to Queen Victoria, Prince Albert was appointed to the Order of the Bath, one of the most senior orders of chivalry. He took the rank of Knight Grand Cross. The queen considered that the prince’s insignia should be appropriate to his position as consort, and therefore richly decorated with precious stones.  It is likely that this star and the accompanying badge were newly made, as the queen appears not to have inherited any embellished insignia.

Prince Albert wore the completed badge for a portrait, which he gave to the queen as a birthday present in May 1841. In 1844 he was appointed Grand Master of the Order, and from this time was active in enhancing its ceremonial and investitures. The prince was determined that these should take place regularly, with the Sovereign of the Order (the queen) sitting on the throne, wearing the Order’s mantle and insignia, attended by the Officers of the Order and as many Knights Grand Cross as could be assembled.