C. DYNASTIC ORDERS[35]

 

1. ALBANIA

House of Zogu (Islamic)

    Order of Fidelity (Besa)

    Founded: 22 January 1926 by Ahmed Ben Zogu (then President of Albania, later King Zog I).

    Ribbon: Greyish blue with a black-red-black central stripe.

    Grand Master: H.M. King Leka I (Leka I, Titular King of Albanians) (b. 1939)

     

    Scander Beg

    Founded: 1925 by Ahmed Ben Zogu (then President of Albania, later King Zog I).

    Ribbon: Black with a thick and thin red outer edge stripe.

    Grand Master: H.M. King Leka I (Leka I, Titular King of Albanians) (b. 1939)

 

2. AUSTRIA

House of Habsburg-Lorraine (Lothringen)[36] (Catholic)

    Golden Fleece

    Founded: Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy 10 January 1429/Emperor Charles VI 1700.

    Ribbon: Red.

    Head and Sovereign: H.I. & R.I. Archduke Karl of Austria (b. 1961).

     

    Star-Cross (for Ladies)

    Founded: Empress Eleonore, widow of Emperor Ferdinand III, 2 February 1668.

    Ribbon: Black.

    Sovereign: H.I. & R.I. Archduke Otto of Austria (Otto I, Titular Emperor of Austria) (b. 1912).

    Supreme Lady Protectress: H.I. & R.I. Archduchess Regina of Austria (b. 1925).

 

3. BRAZIL

House of Orléans-Bragança[37] (Catholic)

    Peter I

    Founded: Emperor Pedro I 16 April 1826 and reformed by his son Dom Pedro II 19th October 1842.

    Ribbon: Grass green with broad white edges.

    Grand Master: in dispute.

     

    Rose

    Founded: Emperor Pedro I 17 October 1829.

    Ribbon: Pale pink with white edges.

    Grand Master: in dispute.

 

4. BULGARIA

House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (Orthodox)

    Saint Alexander

    Founded: Prince Alexander I 25 December 1881.

    Ribbon: Red.

    Grand Master: H.M. King Simeon II, King of the Bulgarians (b. 1937).

     

    Red Cross

    Founded: 1900.

    Ribbon: White with maroon & green stripes.

    Grand Master: H.M. Simeon II, King of the Bulgarians (b. 1937).

     

    Saints Cyril and Methodius[38]

    Founded: King Ferdinand I 18 May 1909.

    Ribbon: Salmon pink.

    Grand Master: H.M. Simeon II, King of the Bulgarians (b. 1937).

     

5. FRANCE

House of Bourbon[39] (Catholic)

    Holy Ghost[40]

    Founded: King Henri III 31 December 1578.

    Ribbon: Blue.

    Grand Master: in dispute.

     

    Saint Michael[41]

    Founded: King Louis XI 1 August 1469.

    Ribbon: Black.

    Grand Master: in dispute.

     

    Saint Louis[42]

    Founded: King Louis XIV April 1693.

    Ribbon: Red.

    Grand Master: in dispute.

     

6. GERMANY

Anhalt

House of Ascania (Evangelical)

    Albrecht the Bear

    Founded: Dukes Heinrich of Anhalt-Koethen, Leopold Friedrich of Dessau, Alexander Carl of Bernburg 18 November 1836.

    Ribbon: Green with flame red (ponceau) side stripes.

    Grand Master: H.H. Prince Eduard II, Titular Duke of Anhalt (b. 1941).

 

Baden

House of Zähringen (Evangelical)

    Fidelity[43]

    Founded: Karl Wilhelm, Margrave of Baden-Durlach 17 June 1715.

    Ribbon: Yellow edged with silver.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Maximilian (Max), Margrave of Baden (Maximilian, Titular Grand Duke of Baden) (b. 1933).

     

Bavaria

House of Wittelsbach (Catholic)

    Saint Hubert

    Founded: Gerhard V, Duke of Juliers and Berg 3 November 1444.

    Ribbon: Flame red (ponceau) with light green side stripes.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Prince Franz, Duke of Bavaria (Franz, Titular King of Bavaria) (b. 1933).

     

    Saint George

    Founded: Elector Carl Albert 28 March 1729.

    Ribbon: Light blue with dark blue inner and white outer stripes.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Prince Franz, Duke of Bavaria (Franz, Titular King of Bavaria) (b. 1933).

     

    Saint Theresa (for Ladies)

    Founded: Queen Theresa 12 December 1827.

    Ribbon: White with one smaller and one broader light blue stripe on each side.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Prince Franz, Duke of Bavaria (Franz, Titular King of Bavaria) (b. 1933).

 

Brunswick

Brunswick-Lüneburg (House of Hanover) (Evangelical)

    Henry the Lion[44]

    Founded: Duke Wilhelm 25 April 1834.

    Ribbon: Crimson red with yellow edges.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Prince Ernst August, Prince of Hanover (Ernst August, Titular Duke of Brunswick) (b. 1954).

     

Hanover

House of Guelph (Evangelical)

    Guelphic[45]

    Founded: George Prince Regent of England 12 August 1815 and King Ernst August I 20 May 1841.

    Ribbon: Light blue.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Prince Ernst August, Prince of Hanover (Ernst August V, Titular King of Hanover) (b. 1954).

     

    Saint George[46]

    Founded: King Ernst August 23 April 1839.

    Ribbon: Crimson.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Prince Ernst August, Prince of Hanover (Ernst August V, Titular King of Hanover) (b. 1954).

     

Hesse

House of Lorraine-Brabant (Reformed now Catholic)

    Golden Lion[47]

    Founded: Friedrich II, Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel 14 August 1770.

    Ribbon: Red.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Moritz, Landgrave of Hesse (Moritz, Titular Elector of Hesse and Titular Grand Duke of Hesse and the Rhine) (b. 1926).

     

Lippe

House of Lippe (Reformed)

    Lippe[48]

    Founded: Prince Leopold of Lippe and Prince Adolph of Schaumburg-Lippe 25 October 1869[49].

    Ribbon: Red edged gold.

    Grand Master: H.S.H. Prince Armin, Prince of Lippe (Armin, Titular Prince (Fürst) of Lippe[50]) (b. 1924).

     

Oldenburg

House of Oldenburg (Lutheran)

    Peter Friedrich Ludwig

    Founded: Grand Duke Paul Friedrich August 27 November 1838.

    Ribbon: Dark blue edged red.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Anton Günther, Duke of Oldenburg (Anton Günther, Titular Grand Duke of Oldenburg) (b. 1923).

     

Prussia

House of Hohenzollern (Evangelical)

    Black Eagle

    Founded: King Friedrich I 17 January 1701.

    Ribbon: Orange.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Prince Georg Friedrich, Prince of Prussia (Georg Friedrich, Titular German Emperor, King of Prussia) (b. 1976).

     

    Royal Order of Hohenzollern

    Founded: King Friedrich Wilhelm IV 16 January/22 August 1851.

    Ribbon: White with three black stripes.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Prince Georg Friedrich, Prince of Prussia (Georg Friedrich, Titular German Emperor, King of Prussia) (b. 1976).

     

    Louisa (for Ladies)

    Founded: King Friedrich Wilhelm III 3 August 1814 and named from the Queen. Reserved for ladies. Renewed by King Friedrich Wilhelm IV 1848 and 1849, and once again by King Wilhelm I 1865.

    Ribbon: White with black side stripe.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Prince Georg Friedrich, Prince of Prussia (Georg Friedrich, Titular German Emperor, King of Prussia) (b. 1976).

 

Hohenzollern

House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (Catholic)

    Hohenzollern

    Founded: Prince Friedrich Wilhelm Constantin of Hohenzollern-Hechingen and Prince Anton Friedrich of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen 5 December 1841. It was conferred by the Princes of the said houses with the approval of the King.

    Ribbon: White with three black stripes.

    Grand Master: H.H. Prince Friedrich Wilhelm (Friedrich Wilhelm, Titular Prince (Fürst) of Hohenzollern) (b. 1924).

 

Reuss

House of Reuss (Lutheran)

    Cross of Honour of Reuss

    Founded: Prince Heinrich XIV 24 May 1869.

    Ribbon: Amaranthine red.

    Grand Master: H.S.H. Prince Heinrich IV, Titular Prince (Fürst) Reuss (on his father’s death 1946 but not fully recognised as such until 1962 with effect from 1953) (b. 1919).

 

Saxony

Kingdom of Saxony

    House of Wettin (Albertine Line) (Catholic)

    Saint Henry

    Founded: Elector Friedrich August II 7 October 1736[51].

    Ribbon: Light blue edged with yellow.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Maria Emanuel, Margrave of Meissen (Maria Emanuel, Titular King of Saxony) (b. 1926).

     

    Crown of Rue

    Founded: King Friedrich August I 20 July 1807.

    Ribbon: Grass green.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Maria Emanuel, Margrave of Meissen (Maria Emanuel, Titular King of Saxony) (b. 1926).

     

    Sidonia (for Ladies)

    Founded: King Johann 31 December 1870[52].

    House: Saxony.

    Ribbon: Violet with white and green side stripes.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Maria Emanuel, Margrave of Meissen (Maria Emanuel, Titular King of Saxony) (b. 1926).

     

Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (Lutheran)

    White Falcon

    Founded: Duke Ernst August 2 August 1732 and renewed by Grand Duke Charles Augustus 18 October 1815.

    Ribbon: Flame red (ponceau).

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Michael-Benedict, Prince of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (Titular Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach) (b. 1946).

 

Saxon Duchies

House of Wettin (Ernestine Line: (1) Saxe-Meiningen, (2) Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and (3) Saxe-Altenburg) (Lutheran)

    Ernestine Ducal

    Founded: Friedrich I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg under the name of the Order of German Probity 1690. Renewed by Dukes Friedrich of Altenburg, Ernst I of Coburg-Gotha, Bernhard of Meiningen 28

    December 1833.

    Ribbon: Dark red with green side stripes.

    Grand Master: (1) H.H. Prince Friedrich-Konrad, Titular Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (b. 1952); (2) H.H. Prince Andreas, Titular Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (b. 1943); (3) became extinct 1991.

 

Schaumburg-Lippe

House of Lippe (Reformed)

    Schaumburg-Lippe

    Founded: Prince Adolph of Schaumburg-Lippe 18 September 1890.

    Ribbon: Red edged gold.

    Grand Master: H.S.H. Prince Alexander, Titular Prince (Fürst) of Schaumburg-Lippe (b. 1958).

 

Waldeck

House of Waldeck (Evangelical)

    Waldeck

    Founded: Prince Georg Victor 3 July 1857.

    Ribbon: Yellow with red and blue side stripes.

    Grand Master: H.S.H. Prince Wittekind, Titular Prince (Fürst) of Waldeck and Pyrmont (b. 1936).

     

Württemberg

House of Württemberg (Catholic)

    Crown of Württemberg[53]

    Founded: King Wilhelm I 23 September 1818 and modified by King Carl I 22 December 1864.

    Ribbon: Crimson with broad black side stripes.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Carl, Duke of Württemberg (Carl II, Titular King of Württemberg) (b. 1936).

 

    Olga (for Ladies)

    Founded: King Carl I 27 June 1871.

    Ribbon: Black with broad dark red side stripes.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Carl, Duke of Württemberg (Carl II, Titular King of Württemberg) (b. 1936).

     

7. GREECE

House of Oldenburg (Greek Orthodox)


    Order of the Redeemer
    Founded: 31 July1829 but not conferred until reinstituted by King Otto I in 1833.
    Ribbon: pale blue, edged in white.
    Grand Master: H.M. Constantine II, King of the Hellenes (b. 1940).

    Saint George & Saint Constantine
    Founded: 1936.

    Ribbon: Dark blue, with alternate red and white horizontal striped edges.

    Grand Master: H.M. Constantine II, King of the Hellenes (b. 1940).

     

    Saint Olga & Saint Sophia

    Founded: 1936.

    Ribbon: Dark blue, with white horizontal striped edges.

    Grand Master: H.M. Constantine II, King of the Hellenes (b. 1940).

     

    George I

    Founded: King Constantine I 16 January 1915

    Colour of Ribbon: Dark red.

    Grand Master: H.M. Constantine II, King of the Hellenes (b. 1940).

 

8. ITALY

Kingdom of Italy

House of Savoy (Catholic)

    Holy Annunciation

    Founded: Order of the Collar or the Love Knot by Count Amadeo VI of Savoy 1362. Renewed by Duke Carlo III of Savoy under its present designation 1518.

    Ribbon: Purple.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Crown Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, Prince of Piedmont and Prince of Naples (Vittorio Emanuele IV, Titular King of Italy[54]) (b. 1937).

     

    Saints Maurice and Lazarus

    Founded: St Lazarus 12th century, recognised in Papal Bull 1254; St Maurice by Duke Amadeo VIII of Savoy 1434. St Lazarus joined to a revived St. Maurice by Papal Bull of Gregory XIII 1572.

    Ribbon: Green.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Crown Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, Prince of Piedmont and Prince of Naples (Vittorio Emanuele IV, Titular King of Italy[54]) (b. 1937).

     

    Civil Order of Savoy

    Founded: King Carlo Alberto 29 October 1831.

    Ribbon: White with a broad blue stripe in the centre.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Crown Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, Prince of Piedmont and Prince of Naples (Vittorio Emanuele IV, Titular King of Italy[54]) (b. 1937).

 

Parma[55]

House of Bourbon-Parma (Catholic)

    Constantinian Saint George

    Founded: confirmation of transfer to Francesco Farnese, Duke of Parma, Piacenza and Castro 24 October 1699 by Bull Sincerae Fidei of Pope Innocent XII / Maria Luigia of Austria, Duchess of Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla 26 February 1816.

    Ribbon: Light blue.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Prince Charles Hugues, Duke of Parma (Carlo Ugo, titular Duke of Parma and Piacenza) (b. 1930).

     

    Saint Lodovico

    Founded: Carlo Lodovico I, Duke of Lucca 22 December 1836 / then as Duke of Parma 11 August 1849.

    Ribbon: Blue with yellow edges.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Prince Charles Hugues, Duke of Parma (Carlo Ugo, titular Duke of Parma and Piacenza) (b. 1930).

 

Tuscany[56]

House of Habsburg-Lorraine (Catholic)

    Saint Stephen

    Founded: Grand Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici 15 March 1561.

    Ribbon: Red.

    Grand Master: H.I. & R.I. Prince Sigismondo, Archduke of Austria, Titular Grand Duke of Tuscany (b. 1966).

     

    Saint Joseph

    Founded: Ferdinand Grand Duke of Würzburg 9 March 1807 / Ferdinand III transformed into a Tuscan Order 19 March 1817.

    Ribbon: Red with white edges.

    Grand Master: H.I. & R.I. Prince Sigismondo, Archduke of Austria, Titular Grand Duke of Tuscany (b. 1966).

 

Two Sicilies

House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies[57] (Catholic)

    Saint Januarius

    Founded: Carlo VII, King of Naples and Sicily (Carlo IV) 6 July 1738.

    Ribbon: Red.

    Grand Master: in dispute.

     

    Constantinian Saint George

    Founded: confirmation of transfer to Francesco Farnese, Duke of Parma, Piacenza and Castro 24 October 1699 by Bull Sincerae Fidei of Pope Innocent XII.

    Ribbon: Light blue.

    Grand Master: in dispute.

 

9. JUGOSLAVIA/SERBIA

House Karadjordjevic (Orthodox)

    Prince Saint Lazarus [58]
    Founded: King Alexander I of Serbia 28 June 1889.
    The Order is worn only by the King of Serbia and by his Crown Prince (when of majority).
    Insignia: The insignia are very elegant, made of gold, enamels, embellished with rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds and pearls.
    Grand Master: H.R.H. Alexander, Crown Prince of Yugoslavia (Alexander II, Titular King of Yugoslavia) (b. 1945).

    White Eagle

    Founded: King Milan I of Serbia 23 January (4 February) 1883.

    Ribbon: Red with pale blue outer edge stripes.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Alexander, Crown Prince of Yugoslavia (Alexander II, Titular King of Yugoslavia) (b. 1945).

     

    Saint Sava

    Founded: King Milan I of Serbia 23 January (4 February) 1883.

    Ribbon: White with pale blue stripes near the edges.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Alexander, Crown Prince of Yugoslavia (Alexander II, Titular King of Yugoslavia) (b. 1945).

     

    Star of Karageorge

    Founded: King Peter I of Serbia 1 January 1904.

    Ribbon: Red with white outer edge stripes.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Alexander, Crown Prince of Yugoslavia (Alexander II, Titular King of Yugoslavia) (b. 1945).

     

    Crown of Yugoslavia

    Founded: King Alexander of Yugoslavia I 5 April 1930.

    Ribbon: Dark blue.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Alexander, Crown Prince of Yugoslavia (Alexander II, Titular King of Yugoslavia) (b. 1945).

 

10. MONTENEGRO

House of Petrovic-Njegos (Orthodox)

    Danilo I

    Founded: Prince Danilo I 23 April (5 May) 1852.

    Ribbon: White with red stripes.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Prince Nikola Petrovic-Njegos of Montenegro (Nikola II, Titular King of Montenegro) (b. 1944).

    Saint Peter (The Royal Montenegrin House Order)
    Founded: Prince (later King) Nicholas I 1869. Restricted to Members of the Royal Family and kinsmen only.
    Ribbon: Red, blue and white stripes.
    Grand Master: H.R.H. Prince Nikola Petrovic-Njegos of Montenegro (Nikola II, Titular King of Montenegro) (b. 1944)

    Petrovic-Njegos
    Founded: Prince (later King) Nicholas I 1897.
    Ribbon: White with red stripes.
    Grand Master: H.R.H. Prince Nikola Petrovic-Njegos of Montenegro (Nikola II, Titular King of Montenegro) (b. 1944).

11. PORTUGAL

House of Bragança (Catholic)

    Saint Isabel

    Founded: Prince Regent Joao, later King Joao VI 4 November 1801.

    Ribbon: Pink with a central white stripe.

    Sovereign: H.R.H. Dom Duarte, Duke of Bragança (Duarte III, Titular King of Portugal and the Algarves) (b. 1945).

    Grand Mistress: H.R.H. Dona Isabel, Duchess of Bragança. (b. 1966).

     

    Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa

    Founded: King Joao VI 6 February 1818.

    Ribbon: Light blue edged with white.

    Grand Master: H.R.H. Dom Duarte, Duke of Bragança (Duarte III, Titular King of Portugal and the Algarves) (b. 1945).

     

12. RUMANIA

House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (Rumanian Orthodox)

    Crown

    Founded: King Charles I 10/22 May 1881.

    Ribbon: Light blue with silver stripes.

    Grand Master: H.M. Mihai, King of Rumania (b. 1926).

     

    Charles I

    Founded: King Charles I 1906.

    Ribbon: Light blue edged yellow-red-yellow.

    Grand Master: H.M. Mihai, King of Rumania (b. 1926).

     

    Military Order of Michael the Brave

    Founded: King Ferdinand I 1916.

    Ribbon: Cherry red with broad gold edges.

    Grand Master: H.M. Mihai, King of Rumania (b. 1926).

 

13. RUSSIA

House of Romanov-Holstein-Gottorp (Orthodox)

    Saint Andrew

    Founded: Emperor Peter the Great 30 November (11 December) 1698.

    Ribbon: Pale blue.

    Grand Master: H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia (Maria I, Titular Empress and Autocrat of All the Russias[59]) (b. 1953).

     

    Saint Catherine (for Ladies)

    Founded: Emperor Peter the Great 25 November (7 December) 1714.

    Ribbon: Red edged with silver.

    Sovereign Head: H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia (Maria I, Titular Empress and Autocrat of All the Russias[59]) (b. 1953).

    Grand Master: H.I.H. Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna of Russia (Leonida, Titular Dowager Empress of All the Russias) (b. 1914).

     

    Saint Alexander Nevsky

    Founded: Empress Catherine I 30 August (12 September) 1725.

    Ribbon: Red.

    Grand Master: H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia (H.I.M. Maria I, Titular Empress and Autocrat of All the Russias[59]) (b. 1953).

     

    Saint Anne

    Founded: Duke Karl Fredrich of Holstein-Gottorp14 December 1735, introduced to Russia 1742 and an Order of the Russian Empire 5 April (17 April) 1796.

    Ribbon: Red with a thin yellow strip near the edge.

    Sovereign: H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia (Maria I, Titular Empress and Autocrat of All the Russias[59]) (b. 1953).

     

    Saint George

    Founded: Empress Catherine II 26 November (9 December) 1769.

    Ribbon: Black with two orange stripes.

    Grand Master: H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia (Maria I, Titular Empress and Autocrat of All the Russias[59]) (b. 1953).

     

    Saint Vladimir

    Founded: Empress Catherine II 22 September (5 October) 1782.

    Ribbon: Black, red, black.

    Grand Master: H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia (Maria I, Titular Empress and Autocrat of All the Russias[59]) (b. 1953).

     

    White Eagle[60]

    Founded: King Augustus II of Poland, Duke of Saxony 1 November 1705, Order of the Russian Kingdom of Poland in 1815 and an Order of the Russian Empire in 17 November (30 November) 1830.

    Ribbon: Dark blue.

    Grand Master: H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia (Maria I, Titular Empress and Autocrat of All the Russias[64]) (b. 1953).

     

    Saint Stanislas[61]

    Founded: King Stanislaus Augustus Poniatowski of Poland 7 May 1765, Order of the Russian Kingdom of Poland in 1815 and an Order of the Russian Empire 17 November (30 November) 1830.

    Ribbon: White, red, white, red (wide), white, red, white.

    Grand Master: H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia (Maria I, Titular Empress and Autocrat of All the Russias[66]) (b. 1953).


[35] Not all the Commissioners agree about the list inserted here. For the present purposes it was decided to consider as dynastic all the various orders still conferred by formerly reigning dynasties, although it is evident that some of these decorations were only state orders or medals according to a scholarly point of view.

[36] Head of the Family is H.I. & R.H. the Archduke Otto of Austria (Otto I, Titular Emperor of Austria) (b. 1912); on 31 May 1961, by written declaration, Archduke Otto renounced his rights to the Austrian throne as well as his membership in the House of Habsburg-Lorraine and declared himself to be a citizen of Austria. This political fiction was done for the benefit of the Austrian republic and to allow Otto to travel to Austria whenever he so wished. This renunciation was viewed as such and understood for what it was by the members of the Imperial Family. (Les Manuscrits du C.E.D.R.E.: L’Empire d’Autriche, volume III, 1991, page 69).

[37] In 1908 H.R.H. Prince Pedro (1875-1940) renounced his rights to the Brazilian throne for himself and for his descendants. This renunciation, if valid, was enacted to make his nephew, H.I. & R.H. Prince Pedro Henrique, Head of the Family upon the death of the Princess Imperial in 1921. Since that time members of the senior branch, descended from H.R.H. Prince Pedro, have disputed the validity of his renunciation. If the renunciation was valid, then the current Head of this Family is H.I. & R.H. Dom Luíz Gastao, Prince of Orleans e Bragança (Luíz I, Titular Emperor of Brazil) (b.1938). If, however, it was not valid, then the Head is H.R.H. Dom Pedro d’Alcantara of Orleans e Bragança (b. 1913).

[38] At the present the Order is awarded as a Bulgarian state order by the President. Since the Prime Minister is the formerly reigning King, the Order is not presently awarded as a dynastic order.

[39] Claimants: Royal (Legitimist): H.R.H. Mgr. Louis-Alphonse de Bourbon, Duke of Anjou (Louis XX, Titular King of France) (b. 1974); Royal (Orleanist): H.R.H. Mgr. Henri de Orleans, Count of Paris, Duke of France (Henri VII, Titular King of France) (b. 1933).

[40] Its membership was originally formally limited to 100 French gentlemen of noble birth whose paternal ancestors, for at least three generations past, had been received as knights of the Order of St. Michael. Its holders were known as chevaliers des Ordres du Roi. Abolished 1830.

[41] Established in response to the founding of the Burgundian Order of the Golden Fleece. Its holders were known as chevaliers de l’Ordre du Roi. Abolished 1830.

[42] Abolished 1830.

[43] Awarded to members of the Family.

[44] Awarded to members of the Family.

[45] Awarded to members of the Family.

[46] Awarded to members of the Family.

[47] Awarded to members of the Family.

[48] Awarded to members of the Family.

[49] From 18 April 1890 the Order was conferred only by the Lippe line.

[50] H.S.H. Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Lippe (b. 1947) disputes his headship.

[51] New statutes 23 December 1829 and supplements 9 December 1870.

[52] Statutes 14 March 1871.

[53] Awarded to members of the Family.

[54] H.R.H. Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta (b. 1943) has disputed his headship since 7 July 2006.

[55] H.R.H. Prince Charles Hugues, Duke of Parma, also grants the following as a dynastic decoration:

Saint George for Military Merit (Lucca)

Founded: Carlo Lodovico I, Duke of Lucca 1 June 1833.

Ribbon: White with two red stripes.

[56] H.I. & R.I. Prince Sigismond, Archduke of Austria, Titular Grand Duke of Tuscany, also grants the following as a dynastic decoration:

Order of Civil Merit (Tuscany)

Founded: Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany 19 December 1853 as the Order of Civil and Military Merit.

Ribbon: Red and black.

[57] Claimants: H.R.H. Infante Don Carlos, Duke of Calabria (Carlos, Titular King of the Kingdom of The Two Sicilies) (b. 1938); H.R.H. Don Ferdinando, Duke of Castro (Ferdinando IV, Titular King of the Kingdom of The Two Sicilies) (b. 1926). H.R.H. Don Ferdinando, Duke of Castro, also grants the following as a dynastic decoration:

Order of Francis I

Founded: Francis I, King of Two Sicilies 28 September 1829.

Ribbon: Red with light blue edges.

According to its Statutes the Order was a state merit order.
[58] Since inception, the Order has been worn only by the following: King Alexander I (Obrenovic); King Peter I; Prince George (as Crown Prince, 1903-1908); Prince, later King Alexander I; King Peter II; Crown Prince Alexander II; On 5 February 1998, The Heir to the Throne, Prince Petar, officially joined the list of Holders of the Collar of Prince Saint Lazarus.

[59] H.H. Prince Nicholas Romanovich Romanov, Chairman of the Romanov Family Association (b. 1922) disputes her headship.

[60] Also awarded as State order by the successor State.

[61] Also awarded as State order by the successor State.

 


EDITORIAL NOTES

  • In those cases where the chanceries of orders or sovereign houses have failed to return current information, or the Commission has been unable to determine the current status of the Grand Mastership, the most up-to-date scientific documentary sources have been used.
  • Where the Grand Mastership of an order is in dispute, we have sought to include the names of the various claimants known to the Commission. In such unfortunate cases it is to be hoped that the Royal Houses or orders concerned will resolve the dispute by internal agreement.