Order of the Netherlands Lion
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| Order of the Dutch Lion Orde van de Nederlandse Leeuw | |
|---|---|
 The Cross of a Knight (3rd grade) of the Order of the Dutch Lion | |
Awarded by  Kingdom of the Netherlands | |
| Type | Chivalric order with three degrees |
| Established | 29 September 1815 |
| Motto | VIRTUS NOBILITAT |
| Awarded for | Those with merits of a very exceptional nature for society |
| Status | Currently constituted |
| Sovereign | His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands |
| Grades | Knight Grand Cross Commander Knight |
| Former grades | Brother |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Honorary Medal for Charitable Assistance in Gold |
| Next (lower) | Order of Orange-Nassau |
 Ribbon bar of the Order of the Netherlands Lion | |
The Order of the Dutch Lion (Dutch: De Orde van de Nederlandse Leeuw, French: L'Ordre du Lion Belgique / Néerlandais) is a Dutch order of chivalry founded by King William I of the Netherlands on 29 September 1815.
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.[citation needed] Since 1980 the Order has been primarily used to recognise merit in the arts, science, sport and literature; others have been awarded the Order of Orange-Nassau instead.
The Order ranks after the coveted Military Order of William, which is only awarded for military merit. 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 King 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.
Grades
The following classes and grades exist for the Order:
- Knight 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.
- Knight - 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.
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Insignia
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 obverse 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 Netherlands coat-of-arms. The badge hangs from a royal crown. As with all honours awarded by the Netherlands, the insignia comprises a decoration, a miniature and optionally a breast star. The decoration and breast stars are only worn at formal occasions or while in state office. While wearing a smoking, it is allowed to wear the miniature. Decorations are not worn on any other type of clothing.[1]
Knight Grand Cross
The decoration hangs from a ribbon. This is tied as a sash, which is worn from the right shoulder to the left hip.
The star, consisting of the decoration without crown, is attached to an eight-pointed slightly rounded golden star consisting of forty-eight rays. The rays of the star are alternately scaled and all tied at the ends. The star is worn directly above the waist on the left-hand side of the clothing. The star and the medal described above are always worn together.
The miniature is a ribbon tied as a rosette, behind which a bar of gold braid is attached. This is all attached to a bow. The miniature is worn in the place of the decorations described above.
Commander
The decoration hangs from a ribbon. This ribbon is smaller in diameter than the ribbon of a Grand Cross.
The star consists of a slightly larger decoration, which is worn directly above the middle on the left-hand side of the clothing. The star and the decoration described above are always worn together.
The miniature only differs from that of the Grand Cross by the bar of silver braid instead of gold braid.
Knight
The decoration hangs from the ribbon that is worn at chest height on the left-hand side of the clothing. The ribbon for women is tied in the shape of a bow.
The miniature is tied in the shape of a bow.
The Brothers
Associated with the Order of the Dutch Lion was the grade known as the Brother, originally intended as an award to those of a lower social class, who performed useful acts, self-sacrifice or other acts of kindness towards fellow human beings. 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 first female Brother, midwife Johanna Goozen, was admitted in 1921.
During the reign of Queen Juliana, Brothers became an award for lifeboat crews, until the last award was made in 1960. The grade of Brother was abolished in 1994; by then there was no living Brother nor surviving widow(er).
The badge of honour for Brothers was a silver medal, with the lion from the Netherlands 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.
Selected recipients
Knight Grand Cross
See also List of honours of the Dutch Royal Family by country & List of Dutch Honours awarded to Heads of State and Royals
Commander
Order du Lion Belgique
- Vicomte Raymond de Biolley
See also
References
- ^ "Decorations of the Order of the Dutch Lion - Royal Honours". Lintjes.nl. Retrieved 2012-03-25.
- ^ Belga Pictures, Opening of Parliament 2004, Willem-Al. & Maxima
- ^ H.M. King Willem-Alexander (Parlement.nl)
- ^ Belga Pictures, Opening of Parliament 2006, Maxima
- ^ H.M. (koningin Beatrix) Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard (Parlement.nl)
- ^ "Noblesse et Royautés", Guests to Victoria of Sweden's wedding, Photo
- ^ Belga Pictures, Victoria of Sweden's wedding, Constantijn & Laurentien
- ^ News-Blog "Noblesse et Royautés" (French), Opening of Dutch Parliament 2012, photo
- ^ Order awaeded in 2004 (65th birthday)
- ^ a b Volks krant, State visit of Netherlands in United Kingdom, 11/1982, Group Photo
- ^ Charles & Diana
- ^ a b Scanpix, State visit of Beatrix in Norway, 06/2010, Group photo
- ^ a b "Noblesse et Royautés" (French), State visit of Sweden in the Netherlands (04/2009), Gala dinner
- ^ a b Belga Pictures, King & Queen
- ^ a b "Noblesse et Royautes" website, State visit of Queen Beatrix in Luxembourg, 21-23 march 2012
- ^ a b Viva Maxima Blog, State visit of Beatrix in Spain in 1985, Group Photo, & State visit in Netherlands 2001, Juan Carlos & Beatrix, Group photo
- ^ PPE Agency, State visit of Jordan in Netherlands 2006, Photo
- ^ a b Royal Ark, Jordanian genealogy details
- ^ PPE Agency, State visit of Jordan in Netherlands 2006, Photo
- ^ a b Volks krant, State visit of Netherlands in Japan, 1991, Group Photo
- ^ Winston Churchill
- ^ Royal Ark
- ^ Bilo je časno živjeti s Titom. RO Mladost, RO Prosvjeta, Zagreb, February 1981. (pg. 102)
- ^ "Mr. G.K. graaf van Hogendorp - Parlement & Politiek". Parlement.com. 2002-03-21. Retrieved 2012-03-25.
- ^ Almanak Laemmert, Rio de Janeiro - Brazil 1888, pg 109
External links
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| Other orders | ||
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