ORDERS OF CHIVALRY IN EUROPEAN MONARCHIES

The Order of Leopold (Ordre de Léopold)
Founded 1832. Five classes : Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight.

The Order of the Crown (Ordre de la Couronne)
Founded 1897. Five classes : Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight.

The Order of Leopold II (Ordre de Léopold II)
Founded 1900. Five classes : Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight.

The Order of the Elephant (Elefantordenen)
Founded 1462. One class : Knight

The Order of the Dannebrog (Dannebrogordenen)
Founded 1671. Six classes : Grand Commander, Grand Cross, Commander 1st Degree, Commander, Knight 1st Degree, Knight.

The Order of Merit of the Principality of Leichtenstein (Der Fürstliche Liechtensteinische Verdienstorden)
Founded 1937. Five classes : Grand Star, Grand Cross, Commander with Star, Commander, Knight

The Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau (Ordre du Lion d'Or de la Maison de Nassau)
Founded 1858. Once class : Knight.

The Civil and Military Order of Merit of Adolph of Nassau (Ordre du Mérite Civil et Militaire d'Adolphe de Nassau)
Founded 1858. Five classes : Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight.

The Order of the Oak Crown (Ordre de la Couronne de Chene)
Founded 1841. Five classes: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight.

The Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (Ordre du Mérite du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg)
Founded 1961. Five classes: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight.

The Order of Saint Charles (Ordre de Saint-Charles)
Founded 1858. Five classes: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight.

The Order of the Crown (Ordre de la Couronne)
Founded 1960. Five classes: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight.

The Order of Grimaldi (Ordre des Grimaldi)
Founded 1954. Five classes: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight.

The Order of Cultural Merit (Ordre du Mérite Culturel)
Founded 1952. Three classes: Commander, Officer, Knight.

The Order of St.Olav (Sanct Olavs Orden)
Founded 1847; revived 1906. Five classes: Grand Cross, Commander with Star, Commander, Knight first class, Knight.

The Royal Norwegian Order of Merit (Kongelige Norske Fortjenstorden)
Founded 1985. Five classes: Grand Cross, Commander with Star, Commander, Knight first class, Knight.

The Order of the Golden Fleece (Orden del Toisón de Oro)
Founded 1430. One class : Knight.

The Most Distinguished Order of Carlos III (Muy Distinguida Orden de Carlos III)
Founded 1771. Five classes: Grand Cross with Collar, Grand Cross, Commander by Number, Commander, Knight.

The Order of Isabella the Catholic (Orden de Isabel la Catolica)
Founded 1815. Five classes: Grand Cross with Collar, Grand Cross, Commander by Number, Commander, Knight.

** under construction **

The Royal Order of the Seraphim (Kungliga Serafimerorden)
Founded 1748. One class : Knight.

The Royal Order of the Northern Star (Kungliga Nordstjärnorden)
Founded 1748. Four classes : Commander Grand Cross, Commander first class, Commander, Knight.

The Most Noble Order of the Garter
Founded 1348. One class: Knight (KG) / Lady (LG)

The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle
Founded 1687. One class: Knight (KT) / Lady (LT)

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath
Founded 1725. Three classes: Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GCB), Knight/Dame Commander (KCB/DCB), Companion (CB)

The Most Distinguished Order of St.Michael and St.George
Founded 1818. Three classes: Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GCMG), Knight/Dame Commander (KCMG/DCMG), Companion (CB)

The Royal Victorian Order
Founded 1896. Five classes: Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GCVO), Knight/Dame Commander (KCVO/DCVO), Commander (CVO), Lieutenant (LVO), Member (MVO)

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
Founded 1917. Five classes: Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GBE), Knight/Dame Commander (KBE/DBE), Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE), Member (MBE).

The Order of Merit
Founded 1902. One class: Member (OM)

The Order of Companions of Honour
Founded 1917. One class: Member (CH).

The Distinguished Service Order
Founded 1886. One class: Companion (DSO).

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