Order of Isabella the Catholic Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Order of Isabella the Catholic
Breast star of the Order
Awarded by the Spanish Monarch
Type	Civil Order
Established	1815; 210 years ago (1815)
Motto	A LA LEALTAD ACRISOLADA (To Proven Loyalty) and POR ISABEL LA CATÓLICA (For Isabella the Catholic)
Awarded for	Actions in benefit to Spain and the Crown
Status	Currently constituted
Grand Master	King Felipe VI
Grand Chancellor	José Manuel Albares, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Grades	Knight/Dame of the Collar (CoYC) Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GYC) Commander by Number (CnYC) Commander (CYC) Officer (OYC) Knight/Dame (+YC) Silver Cross Silver Medal Bronze Medal
Precedence
Next (higher)	Order of Charles III
Next (lower)	Order of Civil Merit
The Ribbons of the Order

Martín Fernández de Navarrete, a famous librarian, wearing the sash and grand cross of the order.

The Collar of the Order, given to Czech President Václav Havel.

The Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic (in Spanish: Real Orden de Isabel la Católica) is a special Spanish award. It is given to people and groups who have done amazing things for Spain. This includes helping Spain's home country or improving its relationships with other nations.

The King of Spain is the main leader of this Order. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is also a key official. This award can be given to both Spanish citizens and people from other countries.

About the Order of Isabella the Catholic

This Order was started in 1815 by King Ferdinand VII. He named it after Queen Isabella I. The Order was created to reward people who showed strong loyalty to Spain. It also honored those who did great things for the country, especially in its territories overseas.

The Order was updated in 1847. Its name became "Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic." This change happened after many American territories became independent from Spain.

Why the Order is Important

The Order of Isabella the Catholic is a very important award in Spain. It is considered the highest civil honor given by the country. Other high honors, like the Order of the Golden Fleece, are more about royal family connections. The Order of Charles III is mostly for leaders and top government officials.

For foreign affairs, the Order of Isabella the Catholic is Spain's top award. It is given to people from all over the world. This makes it a strong tool for international relations.

The Order is also very special because it is not given out often. Since it began in 1815, only about 72,000 people have received it. For comparison, the French Legion of Honour has been given to over 1,000,000 people. This shows how rare and respected the Order of Isabella the Catholic is.

Receiving this Order can also give people special honors. For example, they might get a personal coat of arms. They also get a special way of being addressed, like "Excellency."

History of the Order

King Ferdinand VII officially created the Order on March 14, 1815. The first rules for the Order were approved soon after. At first, there were three levels: Grand Cross, and Knights of First and Second Class. King Ferdinand VII was named the founder and head of the Order.

In 1816, the names of the levels changed. Knights of the first class became "Commanders." Knights of the second class were simply called "Knights."

Changes Over Time

In 1847, Queen Isabella II made changes to Spain's royal orders. The Order of Isabella the Catholic was then mainly used to reward services in overseas territories. New levels were added: Knight, Commander, Commander by Number, and Grand Cross. The need to prove noble birth to join the Order was removed.

Later, in 1873, the Order was stopped for a short time. This happened when Spain became a republic. But when King Alfonso XII returned to the throne in 1875, the Order was brought back.

Coat of arms of Alfonso XIII, showing the collar and special mantle of the Order.

During the time King Alfonso XIII was a child, his mother, Maria Cristina, made more changes. These changes aimed to make sure people started at the Knight level. They also made sure that top awards needed approval from the government. In 1903, the Silver Cross was added. In 1907, Silver and Bronze Medals were created.

In 1927, a new, very high level was created: Knights of the Collar. This was for very important people with amazing achievements. It was also made clear that women could receive the awards.

Modern Updates

The Order continued to change through different governments in Spain. In 1931, a new level called "Officer" was added. In 1938, the Order was restored to its traditional purpose. It was meant to reward great services to the country by both Spanish and foreign people.

The most recent rules for the Order are from 1998. These rules removed old categories that might have seemed unfair to women. Now, women receive the same titles as men. However, for style reasons, women wear smaller versions of the awards.

Leaders and Levels of the Order

The king of Spain (currently Felipe VI) is the main leader, or "Grand Master," of the Order. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is the "Grand Chancellor." Both must sign the documents for any awards given.

Members of the Order who are Knights or higher receive special honors. They can add a golden, flowing mantle to their coat of arms. Knights at the highest levels, like Grand Cross and Knight of the Collar, are called "His or Her most Excellent Lord." Those at the Commander levels are called "His or Her Most Illustrious Lord."

There are several levels in the Order today:

First Class Awards

Knight of the Collar (CoYC) (Caballeros del Collar)
Knight Grand Cross (GYC) (Caballeros Gran Cruz)

Second Class Awards

Commander by Number (CnYC) (Encomienda de Número)
Commander (CYC) (Encomienda)

Third Class Awards

Officer's Cross (OYC) (Cruz de Oficial)

Fourth Class Awards

Knight's Cross (+YC) (Cruz de Caballeros)

Fifth Class Awards

Silver Cross (Cruz de Plata)

Sixth Class Awards

Silver Medal (Medalla de Plata)
Bronze Medal (Medalla de Bronce)

Samuel Morse, who invented the telegraph, wearing the knight's cross and the commander cross of the order in 1866.

The levels of the Order have changed many times since 1815. For example, the Knights of the Collar level was created in 1927. The Silver Cross was added in 1903. The Silver and Bronze Medals were added in 1907.

Women who receive the Order are not called "Knights." Instead, they are called "Dames." For example, "Dames of the Collar" or "Dames Grand Cross."

What the Awards Look Like

The main award is a cross with red enamel and a gold frame. Small gold balls are on the tips of the cross. In the middle, it says "A La Lealtad Acrisolada" (To Proven Loyalty) and "Por Isabel la Católica" (By Isabella the Catholic) on white. Above the cross is a green laurel wreath.

The ribbon for the award is yellow with a white stripe in the middle. The highest award, the "Collar," can be worn with a gold-yellow sash that has white stripes.

Insignia

Collar	Collar Grade Star	Grand Cross	Grand Cross Star	Commander by Number

Commander	Dame-Commander Bow (Optional)	Officer's Cross	Dame-Officer's Bow (Optional)	Knight's Cross

Dame Bow (Optional)	Silver Cross	Dame's Silver Cross Bow (Optional)	Silver Medal	Dame's Silver Medal Bow (Optional)

Bronze Medal	Dame's Bronze Medal Bow (Optional)