Knight Commander (orDame Commander) is the second most senior grade of sevenBritishorders of chivalry, three of which are dormant (and one of them continues as a German house order). The rank entails admission intoknighthood, allowing the recipient to use the title 'Sir' (male) or 'Dame' (female) before his or her name. In theBritish system of precedence, Knights (and Dames) Commander rank after theOrder of the Companions of Honour (although Companions of Honour obtain no knighthood or other status) and beforeKnights Bachelor.[1]
The Orders that award the rank of Knight Commander, and relatedpost-nominal letters,[1] are (dormant orders initalics):
Knights (and Dames) Commander rank behind the most senior rank in each order, that ofKnights (or Dame) Grand Cross. The third most senior rank in each order is a Companion for three-class orders (CB CSI CMG CIE) and Commander for five-class orders (CVO CBE).[2]
Insignia include a breast star and a badge, worn from the neck on a ribbon.[1]
It is also a grade in the orders of other countries, such as thePapalOrder of St. Gregory the Great.[2] The Italian equivalent isCommendatore.