by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2012
There are currently five existing Orders of Chivalry in Belgium, although only three of them are currently awarded. The Order of the African Star and the Royal Order of the Lion ceased to be awarded once the Congo gained its independence in 1960, however, the orders have never been disbanded.
The Order of Leopold
The Order of Leopold was established in 1832 by King Leopold I and is the senior order in Belgium. The Order is awarded in three divisions – Civil, Maritime, and Military (with each having 5 different classes) for contribution to the military, society, or the Belgian State.
- Grand Cordon – wears the badge on the collar or sash, with the star on the left chest.
- Grand Officer – wears the badge on a necklet, with the star on the left chest.
- Commander – wears the badge on a necklet.
- Officer – wears the badge on a ribbon, with rosette, on the left chest.
- Knight – wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.
The Collar of the Order is made of gold links containing crowns, lions, and the monogram of Leopold I.
The Badge of the Order is a white-enameled Maltese Cross atop a wreath of laurel and oak leaves, in green enamel. The central disc, in black enamel, features the Belgian lion in gold. On the reverse is the monogram of Leopold I. Both sides are ringed in red enamel with the motto ‘Unity Is Strength’ in gold, in both French and Dutch. Atop the entire badge is a crown. Here the badge is differentiated for the different divisions – the maritime division has crossed anchors underneath the crown, and the military division has crossed swords. The civil division has neither.
The Star of the Order is an eight-pointed silver star (Grand Cordon) or silver Maltese Cross with straight rays between the arms (Grand Officer). At the center of both is the same central disc as the badge, featuring the gold lion, surrounded by the red ring and the order’s motto. Again, crossed anchors or swords are added behind the central disc for the maritime and military divisions.
The Sash of the Order is solid purple and worn from the right shoulder to the left hip. However, under certain circumstances, the ribbon may feature crossed swords, a gold border, a gold stripe in the center, a silver star, or gold and silver palms.
The Order of the Crown
The Order of the Crown was established by King Leopold II, as ruler of the Free Congo State, in 1897. It was intended to recognize distinguished service in the Congo Free State, and in 1908 was made a national order of Belgium. It is now the second highest order in Belgium, awarded for service to the Belgian state, as well as distinguished achievements. It is awarded in five classes, as well as two palms and three medals.
- Grand Cross – wears the badge on a sash on the right shoulder, and the star on the left chest.
- Grand Officer – wears the badge on a necklet, and the star on the left chest.
- Commander – wears the badge on a necklet.
- Officer – wears the badge on a ribbon, with rosette, on the left chest.
- Knight – wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.
Golden Palms – wears a wreath of golden palms on a ribbon on the left chest.
Silver Palms – wears a wreath of silver palms on a ribbon on the left chest.
Gold Medal – worn on the left chest.
Silver Medal – worn on the left chest.
Bronze Medal – worn on the left chest.
The Badge of the Order is a Maltese Cross atop a field of rays, in silver for Knight and gold for the higher ranks. The central disc, ringed in gold, shows a gold crown on a blue enameled background, with the monogram of King Leopold II on the reverse. The badge is topped with a green-enameled wreath of oak and laurel.
- The Star of the Order is a silver 5-pointed star with golden rays between the branches. In the center is a smaller version of the badge. For Grand Officer, the Star is slightly different – basically the Maltese Star atop a field of rays, all atop another Maltese Cross (this is often referred to as a ‘Maltese Asterisk’).
The Palms of the Order are wreaths of palm leaves, in either gold or silver.
The Medals of the Order, in gold, silver, and bronze, bear the royal crown, surrounded by the motto of the Belgian Congo: ‘Travail et Progrès’ (work and progress). Later issues also contain the Dutch translation ‘Arbeid en Vooruitgang’. The reverse features the monogram of King Leopold II within a wreath of palms. The medal is topped by a crown.
The Sash of the Order is solid maroon, however, there may be some differences in the ribbons for Officers and Knights, based on the circumstances in which the order is granted. The ribbon for the Palms and Medals is maroon with white borders.
The Order of Leopold II
The Order of Leopold II was first established by King Leopold II as King of the Congo Free State. In 1908, when Congo became part of Belgium, the order became a Belgian national order. It is awarded for service to the Sovereign, in five classes and three medals.
- Grand Cross – wears the badge on a sash on the right shoulder, and the star on the left chest.
- Grand Officer – wears the star on the left chest.
- Commander – wears the badge on a necklet.
- Officer – wears the badge on a ribbon, with rosette, on the left chest.
- Knight – wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.
Gold Medal – worn on the left chest.
Silver Medal – worn on the left chest.
Bronze Medal – worn on the left chest.
The Badge of the Order is a Maltese Cross, in silver for Knight and gold for the higher ranks, surmounted on a wreath of laurel leaves. The central disc features a gold lion on a black enameled background, surrounded by a blue enameled ring with the motto ‘Unity is Strength’ in both French (L’union fait la force) and in Dutch (Eendracht maakt macht). The badge is topped with a crown. Originally, the central disc showed the crest and motto of the Congo Free State but this was changed in 1908 when it became a Belgian national order.
The Star of the Order is a faceted silver 5-point star with golden rays between the branches. In the center is a smaller version of the badge. The Grand Officer star is a faceted ‘Maltese Asterisk’ with golden rays between the arms.
The Sash of the Order is blue with a central black stripe. As with the other orders, the ribbons may be differenced based on the circumstances in which the order is granted. Originally, the central stripe was white, representing the colors of the Free Congo State (blue and white).
The Medals, in gold, silver, and bronze, represent the badge imprinted in the appropriate medal. The overall shape is very similar to a Florian Cross.
The Order of the African Star
The Order of the African Star was established in 1888 by King Leopold II as ruler of the Free Congo State. When the Congo was annexed by Belgium in 1908, it became one of the Belgian national orders. The order has not been awarded since Congo’s independence in 1960, but was never discontinued and remains the second highest order in Belgium. It was awarded in five classes with three medals.
- Grand Cross – wears the badge on a sash on the right shoulder, and the star on the left chest.
- Grand Officer – wears the badge on a necklet, and a smaller star on the left chest.
- Commander – wears the badge on a necklet.
- Officer – wears the badge on a ribbon, with rosette, on the left chest.
- Knight – wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.
Gold Medal – worn on the left chest.
Silver Medal – worn on the left chest.
Bronze Medal – worn on the left chest.
The Badge of the Order is a white-enameled five-point star with blue borders, atop a wreath of palm leaves in green enamel. The central disc has a gold star on a blue enameled background, ring in gold with the motto of the order – Travail et Progrès. On the reverse, the disc is red-enameled with the monogram of King Leopold II in gold. The badge is topped with a crown.
The Star of the Order is a 10-point star with alternating rays of silver and gold (for Grand Cross) or just silver (for Grand Officer). In the center is a smaller version of the badge, with King Leopold II’s monogram between the top two branches of the star. A royal crown sits atop the Star.
The Sash of the Order is azure blue with a large pale yellow stripe in the center.
The Medals of the Order, in gold, silver, and bronze, feature a star, surrounded by a circlet carrying the motto (the later versions having both the French and Dutch versions). On the reverse is the monogram of King Leopold II within a wreath of palms. A royal crown sits atop the medal.
The Royal Order of the Lion
The Royal Order of the Lion was established in 1891 by King Leopold II as ruler of the Congo Free State. Just like the Order of the African Star, the Royal Order of the Lion became a Belgian national order following the annexation of the Congo Free State in 1908. And in 1960, upon Congo’s independence, the order ceased to be awarded, although it remains in existence, as the 3rd highest ranking order in Belgium. It was awarded in five classes with three medals.
- Grand Cross – wears the badge on a sash on the right shoulder, and the star on the left chest.
- Grand Officer – wears the star on the left chest.
- Commander – wears the badge on a necklet.
- Officer – wears the badge on a ribbon, with rosette, on the left chest.
- Knight – wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.
Gold Medal – worn on the left chest.
Silver Medal – worn on the left chest.
Bronze Medal – worn on the left chest.
The Badge of the Order is a white enameled Rupert cross ringed in blue, with the letter ‘C’ back-to-back between the arms of the cross. The central disc shows the Belgian lion in gold on a blue enameled background. This is circled in silver with the motto ‘Travail et Progres’ (Work and Progress). The reverse is a red-enameled background bearing Leopold II’s monogram in gold. The entire badge is topped by a crown.
The Star of the Order is a silver faceted eight-point star (Grand Cross) or a silver faceted Maltese Cross with silver rays between the arms (Grand Officer). The central disc is the same as that of the badge.
The Medal, in gold, silver, or bronze, depicts the Belgian lion circled with the motto ‘Travail et Progres’. Later versions also include the motto in Dutch. The reverse features Leopold II’s monogram within a wreath of palm leaves. The entire medal is suspended from a crown and ribbon.
The Sash of the Order is amaranth purple with narrow pale yellow edge stripes, bordered in pale blue.
This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.
Links