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Order of Leopold (Belgium) facts for kids

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Ordre de Leopold Chevalier Militaire
The Order of Leopold
Chevalier Ordre de Leopold
The Order of Leopold ribbon

The Order of Leopold (Dutch: Leopoldsorde, French: Ordre de Léopold) is one of the three (current) Belgian national honorary orders of knighthood. It is the highest order of Belgium. It is named in honour of King Leopold I. It consists of a military, a maritime and a civilian division. The maritime division is only awarded to personnel of the merchant navy, and the military division to military personnel. The decoration was established on 11 July 1832. It is awarded for extreme bravery in combat or for meritorious service of immense benefit to the Belgian nation. The Order of Leopold is awarded by Royal Decree.

During the Second World War, the Order of Leopold was awarded to officers of foreign militaries who had helped to liberate Belgium from the occupation of German forces. Famous recipients include Brand Whitlock, George S. Patton, Bernard Montgomery, Dwight Eisenhower, and Wesley Clark. Medal of Honor recepient Sergeant Francis S. Currey was awarded the Order of Leopold for his actions at Malmedy, Belgium in late 1944. The medal was also granted to Karel Bossart in 1962, and Josip Broz Tito in 1970.

Images for kids

  • NICAISE Leopold ANV

    Leopold I, first King of the Belgians, Founder and First Grand Master of the Order.

  • Uniform Albert I, Koning der Belgen

    Uniform of HM Albert I, Royal Collection of Belgium

  • Paul de Smet de Naeyer

    Count Paul de Smet de Naeyer, Grand Cordon

  • Cropped Amb Federico Cuello Presents Credentials to King Albert II - Brussels 16 2 2005

    King Albert II in 2005

  • Cartoon depicting king Leopold 2 of the Belgians who is throwing medals to crowd

    Cartoon depicting king Leopold II of the Belgians who is throwing medals to crowd

  • Ordre de Leopold

    1/ Grand Cordon Star - civil and military divisions (left), Grand Cordon sash (middle), Grand Officer plaques - civil and maritime divisions (right). Bottom part: Commander's Cross (civil division), officer's cross (military division), officer's cross (civil division), officer's cross (maritime division), knight's cross (military division) (courtesy Société de l'Ordre de Léopold)

  • Order of Leopold Grand Cross in case

    Order of Leopold Grand Cordon in case, from the reign of Albert I.

  • Order of Leopold Grand Cross badge (obverse)

    Grand Cordon badge (obverse).

  • Order of Leopold Grand Cross

    Grand Cordon set of insignia.

  • Order of Leopold Grand Cross badge (reverse)

    Grand Cordon badge (reverse).

  • Chevalier De L`ordre De Leopold (1)

    Knights class (Chevalier).

  • Leo Order Officier Militaire pre 1952

    Officer class with swords (Officier Militaire).

  • Ordre de Leopold 1 officier

    Officer class (Officier).

  • Leopold Order Commandeur Militaire post 1952

    Commander class with swords (Commandeur Militaire).

  • Order of Leopold grand cross badge (Belgium 1930) - Tallinn Museum of Orders

    Grand Cordon badge in gold, 1930.

  • Ordre de Leopold CKS p1090312

    Grand Cordon sash and badge, with swords.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Orden de Leopoldo para niños

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