by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2012
There are four orders bestowed by the Principality of Monaco, all granted at the discretion of the Sovereign Prince.
The Order of Saint-Charles
The Order of Saint-Charles is Monaco’s most senior order, having been established by Prince Charles III in 1858, and later modified by Prince Ranier III in 1966. For nearly 100 years, it was Monaco’s only order. It is awarded, in 5 classes, to both citizens and foreigners for service to the State or the Sovereign Prince.
Knight Grand Cross – the badge is worn either suspended from the collar or from the sash, with the star on the left breast.
Grand Officer – the badge is worn on a chest ribbon with rosette (for men) or on a bow (for women), as well as the breast star.
Commander – the badge is worn on a neck ribbon (for men) or on a bow on the left shoulder (for women).
Officer – the badge is worn on a chest ribbon with rosette.
Knight – the badge is worn on a chest ribbon without a rosette. There is a slight variation, with the Knight’s badge having a wider wreath behind the cross.
The Badge of the Order is a white maltese cross trimmed in red, centered with a red disk containing the cipher of Charles III in gold, all circled in white enamel with the motto ‘Principe et Patria’. The cross is surmounted on a wreath of green enamel, all topped by a crown.
The Star of the Order is an eight-pointed silver star with the same detail of the badge, excluding the crown, surmounted in the center.
The Collar of the Order is comprised of oval links, alternating between ciphers of Charles III and a field of red lozenges (diamonds) on a white background, all in enamel.
The sash is red with white stripes and edges. The same design is used for the ribbons and bows for the lesser ranks.
The Order of the Crown
The Order of the Crown was established in 1960, and modified in 1966, by Prince Ranier III and is awarded for exceptional acts or conduct. It is awarded in 5 classes.
Knight Grand Cross – the badge is worn suspended from the sash, with the star on the left breast.
Grand Officer – the badge is worn on a chest ribbon with rosette (for men) or on a bow (for women), as well as the breast star.
Commander – the badge is worn on a neck ribbon (for men) or on a bow on the left shoulder (for women).
Officer – the badge is worn on a chest ribbon with rosette.
Knight – the badge is worn on a chest ribbon without a rosette.
The Badge of the Order is a 4-branched star, in gold and silver, with the cipher of Prince Ranier III between each branch. At the center is a disc of white enamel with the Crown of Monaco in red enamel and gold. The badge is topped by a laurel wreath.
The Star of the Order is similar to the badge, without the laurel wreath on the top.
The Sash of the Order is olive green with a narrow red stripe in the center. The same design is used for the ribbons and bows for the lesser ranks.
The Order of Grimaldi
The Order of Grimaldi, established in 1954, is granted for personal service to the Sovereign Prince of Monaco, in 5 classes.
Knight Grand Cross – the badge is worn either suspended from the collar or from the sash, with the star on the left breast.
Grand Officer – the badge is worn suspended from a neck ribbon (for men) or a bow on the left shoulder (for women), with the star on the left breast.
Commander – the badge is worn suspended from a neck ribbon (for men) or a bow on the left shoulder (for women).
Officer – the badge is worn suspended from a ribbon (for men) or bow (for women) with rosette, on the left chest.
Knight – the badge is worn suspended from a plain ribbon (for men) or bow (for women) on the left chest.
The Badge of the Order is a white-enameled Maltese Cross. The central disc is in gilt, bearing a mounted knight carrying the arms of the Grimaldi family. Surrounding this are the words “Ranier Grimaldi, Prince de Monaco”. On the reverse of the disc are the year “1950” and “Principauté de Monaco”. A crown sits atop the badge.
The Star of the Order is a silver star formed by 16 rhombs arranged in a circle. The central disc is the same as that of the Badge.
The Collar of the Order is dual chains linked by discs with the arms of the Grimaldi family. At the center is the cipher of Prince Ranier III topped by the crown, with the badge suspended.
The Sash of the Order is white with a narrow red stripe near the outer edges, worn over the right shoulder. The same design is used for the ribbons and bows for the lesser ranks.
The Order of Cultural Merit
The Order of Cultural Merit was established by Prince Ranier III in 1952 to recognize those who have made distinctive contributions to the arts, letters, and sciences through their work or teaching. There are three different classes awarded.
Commander – the badge is worn from a neck ribbon.
Officer – the badge is worn on a ribbon or bow, with rosette, on the left chest.
Knight – the badge is worn on a plain ribbon or bow on the left chest.
The Badge of the Order is best described as a simple medallion. Made in gold (for Commander) and silver (for Officer and Knight), it is surrounded by a laurel wreath and topped by the Crown of Monaco. The front of the medallion shows the cipher of Prince Ranier III, surrounded by the inscription “Principauté de Monaco 1952”. On the reverse is an arrangement of objects symbolizing the arts and sciences, with the inscription “Arts Lettres Sciences”.
The Ribbon of the Order is red with a line of white lozenges in the center.
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