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Order of the Crown of Tonga

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Royal Order of the Crown of Tonga
Ko e Fakalangilangi ‘o Kalauni ‘o Tonga
Awarded by King of Tonga
TypeOrder of Merit
Royal houseHouse of Tupou
Motto"KO E OTUA MO TONGA KO HOKU TOFI'A" ("God and Tonga are my patrimony")
EligibilityCivilians and militaries, Tongan or foreigners
Awarded forExceptional services to the State and the Crown
StatusCurrently constituted
SovereignKing Tupou VI
GradesKnight Grand Cross with Collar (KGCCCT)
Knight/Dame Grand Cross (K/D GCCT)
Knight/Dame Commander (K/D CCT)
Member (MCT)
Precedence
Next (higher)Order of King George Tupou I
Next (lower)Order of Queen Salote Tupou III

Ribbon of the order

The Royal Order of the Crown of Tonga (Tongan:Fakalangilangi 'o Kalauni 'o Tonga) is an Order of Merit awarded for exceptional services to Tonga and the Crown of Tonga.

History

It was established 16 April 1913 by George Tupou II to reward those who distinguished themselves by exceptional services to the State and the Crown. It was reorganized on 31 July 2008 by King George Tupou V, in particular relatively to all the classes of merit. It can be awarded to militaries and civilians, native of Tonga or foreigner, without distinction of religion.

Classes

The order is presented in four classes:[1][2][3]

  • Knight Grand Cross with Collar

(KGCCCT) - Collar, Star, Sash, Miniature & Ribbon bar

  • Knight/Dame Grand Cross (K/D GCT) - Star, Sash, Miniature & Ribbon bar
  • Knight/Dame Commander (K/D CCT) - Necklet, Miniature & Ribbon bar
  • Member (MCT) - Breast Badge, Miniature & Ribbon bar

Insignia

The Sash for the two upper classes is a red moiré sash with a white stripe near each edge. Men's sash is 102mm wide (proportions : 2.5/14.5/68/14.5/2.5mm). Women's sash is 75mm wide (proportions : 1.5/10./51/10.5/1.5mm).

Knight Grand Cross

The Collar is a double gold chain, set with a 6-pointed white enamel gold edged star (centre-piece), with on either side moving upwards; a golden dove in flight, three gold crossed swords, a 6-pointed white enamel gold edged star. Hanging from it, a white enamel Maltese cross with a narrow gold edge, pendant from a gold Tongan crown. The red central medallion has a raised gold Tongan crown, the red riband has a gold legend in capital letters : "KO E OTUA MO TONGA KO HOKU TOFI'A" ("God and Tonga are my patrimony").

The Knight Grand Cross' Star / Plaque is a silver, silver-gilt & enamel 8-pointed faceted star with the collar-badge (minus the crown), placed in the centre.

Grand Cross

The Grand Cross' Star is a silver 8-pointed faceted star, with the collar-badge (minus the crown), placed in the centre.

Commander

The Commander’s Necklet Badge is a white badge with a gold crown worn from the neck on a ribbon, approx. 41mm wide, red with two white stripes near the edge (approximative proportions 1/5.5/28/5.5/1 mm).

Member

The Member’s Badge is a breast badge (smaller than Commander's) worn from a similar 36mm ribbon (approximative proportions 6/6/12/6/6mm).[2][3]

References

  1. ^ a b "ODM of Tonga: Order of the Crown of Tonga". Medals.org.uk. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  2. ^ a b The Royal Ark
  3. ^ a b John Duncan McMeekin's summary
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