The Order of the Precious Crown, instituted by the Emperor Meiji in 1888 as a decoration for women, was first received by a member of the British royal family when it was presented to the Duchess of Connaught in 1890. The Duke of Connaught recorded in their joint diary,

'the Prince [Komatsu] handed her the Order of the Imperial Crown [sic] (the Chief Ladies order of Japan) … The presentation of this order was quite unexpected & gave us great pleasure. Except the Empress of Russia no other foreign princess has this order. It was very appropriate as L.Sn. [Louise] was the first Princess of any Royal House that has visited Japan.'

After the honour was bestowed on Queen Alexandra in 1902, the Princess of Wales (later Queen Mary) was appointed to the Order on 28 March 1905. The insignia was probably presented in June that year during the visit of Prince and Princess Arisugawa. Subsequent appointments to the Order before 1940 included Princess Arthur of Connaught (1891–1959) in 1918, Princess Mary (1897–1965) in 1921 and Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) in 1937.

The centre of the badge bears a representation of a filigree crown topped with a bird of paradise, as worn by ancient empresses, encircled by pearls, designs of bamboo shoots, and cherry blossoms and leaves suspended from the ribbon by a wreath of paulownia flowers. Decorated with rays set with pearls, the star bears, at its centre, a bird of paradise.

Text adapted from Japan: Courts and Culture (2020)