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THE INTERNATIONAL AND ROYAL
COUNCIL FOR ORDERS OF CHIVALRY
THE ALMANACH DE CHIVALRY 2008
( Founded 2002 by Royal Charter )
The Register of Orders of Chivalry
Registre des Ordres de Chevalerie
The Official Listing of The Imperial
and Royal European Orders of Chivalry
The Royal Orders of The
Kingdom of The Netherlands
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(Above)
Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands .
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HER MAJESTY QUEEN BEATRIX OF THE NETHERLANDS
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Queen Beatrix is daughter of the late Queen Juliana of the Netherlands and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, Prince of Lippe-Biesterfeld. Her godparents are King Leopold III of Belgium, Duke Adolphe of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (brother of her maternal grandfather Prince Hendrik), Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, and Allene Countess de Kotzebue.
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands is a direct descendant of Sophia, Electress of Hanover via her granddaughter Anne, Princess Royal (1709-1759). The Queen could claim British nationality because of her descent from Sophia, based on 'The Act for the Naturalization of the Most Excellent Princess Sophia, Electress and Duchess Dowager of Hanover, and the Issue of her Body' (the Sophia Naturalization Act) from 1705, as she was born before the Act was repealed in 1948.
When the Queen was a young girl, the Dutch royal family fled the German invasion of the Netherlands in World War II, moving to Britain in May 1940 and then to Ottawa, Canada. The family lived at Stornoway. She attended Rockcliffe Park Public School, during their exile in Canada.
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THE ROYAL ORDER OF ORANGE NASSAU
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The Order of Orange-Nassau (Dutch: Orde van Oranje Nassau) is a military and civil order of the Netherlands which was first created on 4 April 1892 by the Queen regent Emma of the Netherlands, acting on behalf of her under-age daughter Queen Wilhelmina.
In 1841 William II of the Netherlands, as Grand Duke of Luxembourg, created the Order of the Oak Crown. Although this was officially not a Dutch order, honours were regularly conferred on Dutch people. After the death of William III, Luxembourg became an independent state. There was a need for a third Dutch order, beside the military Order of William and Order of the Dutch Lion, so that royal honours could be conferred to foreign diplomats and people from lower ranks and classes.
The Order of Orange-Nassau has two divisions, civil and military, the former denoted by a wreath of laurel on the badges, and the latter by crossed swords on both the badges and the stars. The Order of Orange-Nassau can therefore be considered the Dutch equivalent of the Order of the British Empire.
During World War II, the Order of Orange-Nassau was bestowed to both members of the Netherlands military and members of foreign services who had helped liberate the Netherlands from Nazi Germany occupation. In the modern age, the Orange-Nassau is still the most active military and civil decoration of the Netherlands, and ranks after the Order of the Dutch Lion. The Order is typically awarded each year on the Queen's official birthday (April 30th) with thousands of appointments to the Order made public. The Order is also used to honour foreign princes, ministers, dignitaries and diplomats.
In 1994, the Dutch honours system was extensively revised. This revision intended to create a more democratic system, disconnecting the level of the honours from rank and social status. Until this revision the Order consisted of five grades. In addition Honorary Medals were issued in the grades of gold, silver and bronze. The bearers of the Honorary medal were not formally included in the Order. The Honorary medals were replaced by the Member Class of the Order of Orange Nassau which is reserved only for Dutch citizens.
The King of the Netherlands is the Grand Master of the Order of Orange-Nassau. In addition to this special grade, the Order of Orange-Nassau is issued in six classes.
The following classes and grades exist for the Order of Orange-Nassau , Grand Cross , Grand Officer , Commander , Officer , Knight and Member.
The badge of the Order is a blue-enamelled, white enamel-bordered Maltese Cross, in gilt for the officers and above, in silver for knights and members. The obverse central disc has the lion from the Dutch coat-of-arms of the Netherlands in gold and blue enamel, surrounded by a white enamel ring bearing the Dutch national motto Je Maintiendrai (I shall maintain). The reverse central disc has the crowned monogram "W" (for Queen Wilhelmina) surrounded by the motto God Zij Met Ons (God be with us). The badge is topped by a crown. The civil division has a wreath of laurel between the arms of the cross; the military division has crossed swords instead. The badge is attached to a ribbon which is orange with white and blue border stripes. The way the badge and ribbon should be worn differs between men and women.
The star of the Order is a silver star with straight rays, in 8 points for Grand Cross and in 4 points for Grand Officer; the central disc has the lion from the Dutch coat-of-arms of the Netherlands in gold and blue enamel, surrounded by a white enamel ring bearing the Dutch national motto Je Maintiendrai. The military division has crossed swords.
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THE MILITARY ORDER OF WILLIAM
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The Military Order of William is the oldest and highest honour of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Order's motto is Voor Moed, Beleid en Trouw (For Conspicuous Bravery, Leadership and Loyalty). The chivalry order was established in 1815 by King William I and was presented for feats of bravery on the battlefield and as a meritorious decoration to senior military officers. Comparable with the French Légion d’Honneur but far less awarded, the Order of William is a chivalry order of merit open to everyone regardless of rank and nobility, and not only to Netherlands military but also foreigners. To date the Order is extremely rarely awarded and only for bravery in battle.
Most knighthoods of the Military Order of William have been awarded in 1815 and shortly afterwards to military of the Allies that fought Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. For the Waterloo campaign over a thousand persons became a knight of the Order of William. The Grand Cross was awarded to Prince William of Orange, the Duke of Wellington, Fürst Blücher von Wahlstatt, Graf von Bülow-Dennewitz and Graf von Gneisenau.
During the 19th century the Order of William was awarded to military serving in the campaign against the Belgian Revolution and military serving in the Netherlands East-Indies, mostly in the Aceh War. Until 1940, a total of 5,874 persons had been awarded the Military Order of William. In 1940, the Order was awarded to soldiers who had served with extreme valour in the defence of Netherlands from the May 10 attack by Nazi-Germany. In 1944 and 1945, with the liberation of the Netherlands from German occupation, the Order of William was again awarded, this time to Netherlands citizens as well as members of the Allied Forces for deeds of gallantry. Since 1940, 199 names have been added to the register of the Military Order of William. The last conflict that was cause for the honour to be awarded was the Korean War. Of the 3,500 servicemen who served in the Netherlands United Nations Detachment in Korea, three servicemen -two posthumously- were admitted to the Order.
By 1945, the following classes of the Order of William were in existence. Grand Cross - wears the badge on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left chest;
Commander - wears the badge on a necklet, plus an identical breast cross on the left chest; Knight 3rd Class - wears the badge on a ribbon with rosette on the left chest; Knight 4th Class - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.
The Grand Cross could also be awarded as an exceptional presentation to heads of state which had displayed feats of loyalty to The Netherlands during wartime. Only US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the British King George VI and Queen Wilhelmina of The Netherlands were conferred such an honour. In the 19th. century the Grand Cross was often conferred on foreign monarchs as a mere mark of respect.
The 4th Class could also be awarded as a unit presentation to military commands which had displayed feats of gallantry during wartime.
The badge of the Order is a white-enamelled Maltese Cross, in silver for the 4th Class and in gilt for higher classes; a green enamelled Burgundy Cross appears between the arms of the Maltese Cross. The obverse bears a golden tinderbox at the centre, and the motto Voor Moed - Beleid - Trouw (For Conspicuous Bravery - Leadership - Loyalty) on the arms of the Maltese Cross. The reverse central disc bears a crowned monogram "W" (for King William I) surrounded by a laurel wreath. The badge is topped by a crown.
The star of the Grand Cross is a silver, 8-pointed star with straight rays; the obverse of the badge of the Order, minus the crown, appears at its centre. The breast cross of the Commander is completely identical to the obverse of the badge of the Order. The ribbon of the Order is yellow with blue stripes near the border.
To be awarded the Order of William a military unit must distinguish itself in battle to such a degree as would warrant the personal presentation of the Order of William. The unit's Regimental Colour are decorated with the badge of the 4th Class itself, which hangs from the finial of the pike. The version of the Order of William for unit members is known as the Orange Lanyard. Only those who served in a military unit at the particular time of action are entitled to wear the Orange Lanyard.
The Orange Lanyard is worn as a cord around the right shoulder and can be worn simultaneously with the French or Belgian Fourragère of the Croix de guerre. The Orange Lanyard is considered a permanent decoration and is worn for the duration of a military member's career.
Six elements of the Netherlands armed forces were decorated as a consequence of their actions during the Second World War: the Naval Air Arm of the Royal Netherlands Navy; the Submarine Service of the Royal Netherlands Navy; the Marine Corps of the Royal Netherlands Navy; the Royal Netherlands 'Prinses Irene' Brigade, whose traditions are continued by the 'Prinses Irene' Fusilier Guards Regiment; the Military Air Arm in the Netherlands and the Military Air Arm of the Royal Netherlands Indies Army, whose traditions both are continued by the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Since 1972, the Military Order of William has been part of the colours of the 'Van Heutz' Regiment of the Royal Netherlands Army. This regiment continues the traditions of the Royal Netherlands Indies Army KNIL. Three KNIL units, namely the 7th Field Battalion, the 3rd Field Battalion and the Marechaussee Corps of Aceh and Dependencies were awarded the Order of William in 1849, 1877 and 1930 respectively.
To date the number of Knights in the Military Order of William are less than 10 and all are over 75 years of age. The last ceremony the Knights met was on 31 May 2006 at the Binnenhof in The Hague when Her Majesty Queen Beatrix awarded the Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade with the Order. The traditions of the Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade are continued by the 6th Polish Air Assault Brigade.
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THE ORDER OF THE DUTCH LION
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The Order of the Dutch Lion (Dutch: De Orde van de Nederlandse Leeuw) is an order of the Netherlands which was first created on 29 September 1815 by the first King of the Netherlands, King William I. The Order of the Dutch Lion was until recently awarded upon eminent individuals from all walks of life, including generals, ministers of the crown, mayors of large towns, professors and leading scientists, industrialists, high ranking civil servants, presiding judges and renowned artists. It could therefore be considered the Dutch equivalent of the Order of the Bath. Since 1980 the Order has been primarily used to recognise merit in the arts, sport and literature; others have been awarded the Order of Orange Nassau instead.
The Order of the Dutch Lion ranks after the coveted Order of William. Every year on the Queen's official birthday, April 30, several appointments in the Order are made public. The second and third class of the Order are not awarded to foreigners; they are eligible for the Order of Orange Nassau or the Order of the Crown instead.
The Queen of the Netherlands is the Grand Master of the Order. The Order is issued in three classes. There was also a Medal for "brothers" which had not been conferred since 1960. The brothers became extinct and the grade was abolished in 1994.
The following classes and grades exist for the Order of the Dutch Lion: Grand Cross - Reserved for members of the Royal Family, foreign Heads of State and a select group of former prime ministers, Princes and Cardinals. Wears the badge on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left chest. Commander - Usually conferred upon Dutch Nobel Prize winners, a few distinguished artists, writers and politicians. Wears the badge on a necklet, plus an identical breast cross on the left chest (therefore this class is actually equivalent to Grand Officer).
Knight-Until recently this was the decoration conferred upon members of the "establishment.These days it isusually awarded upon cartoonists, popular singers and anyone who wins a gold medal at the Olympic Games. Wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest. Brother - no longer issued; see section below. Wore the medal on a ribbon on the left chest.
The badge of the Order is a gilt, white-enamelled Maltese Cross, with the monogram "W" (for King William I) between the arms of the cross. The orverse central disc is in blue enamel, bearing the motto Virtus Nobilitat (Virtue Ennobles). The reverse central disc is plain golden, with the lion from the Dutch coat-of-arms. The badge is topped by a crown.
The star of the Grand Cross is a gilt 8-pointed star with straight rays; the obverse of the badge of the Order, minus the crown and the monograms, appears at its centre. The breast cross of the Commander is completely identical to the obverse of the badge of the Order. The ribbon of the Order is blue with yellow stripes near the border.
Associated with the Order of the Dutch Lion is the grade known as the Brother, which has not been conferred in living memory. It was awarded to those, usually of a lower social class, who performed useful acts, self-sacrifice or other acts of kindness towards fellow human beings (for example, risking one's life to save others from grave danger). The award came with an annual payment of 200 guilders, of which half would be paid to the widow(er) at the death of the award holder.
The badge of honour for Brothers was a silver medal, with the lion from the Dutch coat-of-arms on the obverse, and the motto Virtus Nobilitat (Virtue Ennobles) on the reverse.
The ribbon for Brothers was blue with a single yellow central stripe.
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THE HOUSE ORDER OF ORANGE
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The House Order of Orange (Huisorde van Oranje) is an order (decoration) that was instituted by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands in 1905. As a House Order it is not subject to ministerial responsibility or influence, but is awarded at the discretion of the Dutch monarch alone. In 1905 Queen Wilhelmina felt the need for a House Order because the Order of the Oak Crown of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, used by her father and grandfather to reward Dutch subjects, was no longer available to her, as females were not allowed to succeed the throne of Luxembourg due to the Salic Law within its constitution in 1890.
The House Order of Orange had a very complex nomenclature, with 18 different classes and medals: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight, Knight 2nd. Classsince 1908, The Golden Medal for Art and Science (equal in rank to a Grand Officer and very rare), The Golden Medal for Initiative and Ingenuity (since 1917, equal in rank to a Grand Officer and very rare), The Silver Medal for Art and Science (equal in rank to an Officer and rare), The Silver Medal for Initiative and Ingenuity (since 1917,equal in rank to an Officer and rare), Dame of Honour, Golden Cross of Merit, Silver Cross of Merit, Golden Medal of Honour, Silver Medal of Honour,Bronze Medal of Honour Medal for saving lives from deadly peril (since 1910), The Bronze Medal for Art and Science. (equal in rank to a knight and rare).
The number does not indicate a rank within the Order. The Dame of Honour was neither inferior or superior to another grade; however he highest rank was the Grand Cross. The insignia vary considerably amongst these awards; however they all share the same orange ribbon, symbolizing the House of Orange. More than 3200 decorations were conferred between 1905 and 1969, mostly to Court Dignitaries,the Queen's household, and Doctors and lawyers who could choose between sending a bill for their services or a decoration in the House Order. and in 1969 Queen Juliana decided to reorganise the Order to bring it more in line with the ever more egalitarian spirit of the Dutch society. As a result the old House Order was split into five groups: The House Order of Orange, The Order for Loyalty and Merit, The medals for Art and Science, The medals for Initiative and Ingenuity, The Order of the Crown.
Today the House Order of Orange has these grades: 1.Grand Cross. 2.Grand Cross of Honour. 3.Cross of Honour. Every subject of the Queen, apart from the members of The Royal House (see note), can be awarded the Cross of Honour. Once awarded, the recipient can be promoted to a higher grade of the House Order after three years.
Note: The Royal House (Koninklijk Huis) is a rather vague definition within Dutch constitutional theory and Dutch law. It consists of the Monarch, his or her consort, former monarchs and their consorts and those members of her family that have a right to succeed her. The Government is responsible for the actions and words of the members of the Royal House. It is not the same as the Royal Household, although that calls itself, and is usually called the Royal House as well. The Queen's second son decided not to ask for parliamentary approval for his marriage and lost his right to succeed to the throne, his membership of the Royal House and the title Prince of the Netherlands. He did however remain a Royal Highness ,a Prince of Orange-Nassau and a member of the Royal Family.In the eyes of the genealogy and heraldry the words Royal House apply to various descendants of the Dutch monarch. The law on funerals does not apply to funerals of the members of the Royal House, but in this context membership will probably be defined in yet another way.
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THE ORDER OF THE CROWN
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The Order of the Crown (Kroonorde) is an order of the Netherlands. The Order came into being as a result of Queen Juliana's reorganization of The House Order of Orange (Huisorde van Oranje) in 1968. The 18 classes of the House order were no longer felt to be appropriate in the ever more egalitarian Dutch society of the '60s. The Order was divided into five subdivisions.
The Order of the Crown is intended for "foreigners who have rendered special service to the Dutch King or his House" (Article 13 of the statute) The present queen has instituted a silver medal to commemorate state visits.
The Order of the Crown has five grades and three medals. This allows the Dutch monarch to dispense the decorations according to rank during state visits. 1. Grand Cross, 2. Large Cross and plaque, 3. Large Cross 4. Cross of honour with rosette, 5. Cross of honour, 6. Medals in Gold, Silver and Bronze.
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"CHRISTUS VINCIT, CHRISTUS REGNAT, CHRISTUS IMPERIT"
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For Further Information
The Correspondence Address is:
The Imperial and Royal Society
of The Almanach de Chivalry,
Royal Mail Post Office Box 276,
Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0UL,
United Kingdom.
Telephone: +44 (0) 208 943 4520
Fax: +44 (0) 208 943 4520
E-mail: almanachdechivalry@msn.com
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