The Order is the sixth-most important in the British honors system , after The Most Noble Order of the Garter ( the highest British honor ) , The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle , The Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick , The Most Honourable Order of the Bath , and The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India . The Order is the sixth-most senior in the British honors system , after The Most Noble Order of the Garter , which is the pinnacle of the British honors system , The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle , The Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick , The Most Honourable Order of the Bath , and The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India .