Order of Leopold (Belgium) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Order of Leopold Ordre de Léopold Leopoldsorde
Order of Leopold (Civil Grand Cordon set of insignia)
Awarded by King of the Belgians
Type	Order of Merit with five degrees
Established	11 July 1832
Motto	L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE - EENDRACHT MAAKT MACHT EINIGKEIT MACHT STARK (Union makes strength) (Unity Makes Strength)
Eligibility	Belgian and foreign citizens
Awarded for	meritorious service to the Belgian state or society
Status	Active
Grand Master	His Majesty King Philippe
Grades	Grand Cordon Grand Officer (since 1838) Commander Officer Knight (OL)
Statistics
First induction	French Sapper Valentin Ausseil
Precedence
Next (higher)	None (highest)
Next (lower)	Order of the African Star
Ribbon (knight)

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

Uniform of HM Albert I, Royal Collection of Belgium

Count Paul de Smet de Naeyer, Grand Cordon

King Albert II (on the right) in 2005, with the Dominican Ambassador to Brussels

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

The Order of Leopold is one of Belgium's most important national awards. It is the oldest and highest honor given in Belgium. This special award is named after its founder, King Leopold I. It has three main groups: one for military people, one for sailors (merchant navy), and one for civilians. The Order was created on July 11, 1832, and the King decides who receives it.

History of the Order
- Important Gifts and Famous People
Levels of the Order
- Grand Cordon: The Highest Honor
What the Medals Look Like
How Awards Are Given
Similar Awards in Other Countries
Images for kids
See also

History of the Order

When Belgium became an independent country, it needed a way to honor people. It also needed special gifts for diplomats from other countries. The new Belgian government gave the King the power to create such an honor system.

King Leopold I, Belgium's first king, used this power to create the Order of Leopold. He wanted to recognize not only military heroes but also anyone who did great things for Belgium. In 1832, the King officially started the Order of Leopold. He chose its colors, different levels, and the motto: L’Union fait la Force (Unity Makes Strength). This system was similar to honor systems in other European countries, especially France, with five different levels.

Important Gifts and Famous People

The highest level of the Order, called the Grand Cordon, was often used as a valuable gift to leaders from other countries. Belgian kings also gave it to family members during big celebrations like weddings. For example, when Prince Rudolf and Princess Stephanie got married, 20 Grand Cordons were sent to the Austrian Royal Court.

Many important people have received the Order of Leopold over the years. This includes those who fought for Belgium's independence. Later, King Leopold II gave the Order to famous Belgian artists, generals, and religious leaders.

Some well-known people who have received this honor include:

Pope Leo XIII
Inventors like Alfred Belpaire
Architects such as Victor Horta
Explorers like Henry Morton Stanley
Military leaders like George S. Patton, Bernard Montgomery, and Dwight Eisenhower
Musicians like Mstislav Rostropovich
Sports leaders like Count Jacques Rogge

After World War I, the Order became known worldwide because so many famous people had received it. After World War II, many foreign military officers who helped free Belgium from German rule also received the Order. This included Sir Winston Churchill and Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1945.

Today, only the King of the Belgians can grant membership to the Order of Leopold. It is given to very important Belgians and distinguished foreign people. These are individuals who have greatly helped the Belgian military, society, or the country itself. The King usually gives out these awards on April 15 (his birthday) and November 15 (the Day of the Belgian Dynasty).

The Order of Leopold is still the most important diplomatic gift Belgium gives during visits from foreign leaders.

Levels of the Order

The Order of Leopold has five different levels, or "classes":

Grand Cordon: This is the highest level. The person wears a special chain or a wide ribbon across their shoulder. They also wear a star on their chest.
Grand Officer: This person wears a medal on a necklace and a star on their chest. This level was added in 1838.
Commander: This person wears the medal on a necklace.
Officer: This person wears the medal on a ribbon with a small flower-like shape (rosette) on their chest.
Knight: This person wears the medal on a ribbon on their chest.

Each of these five levels can be given in three different groups: civil (for regular citizens), military (for soldiers), and maritime (for sailors in the merchant navy). Usually, a person must be at least 42 years old to receive the Order, unless they are in the military.

The King of Belgium is the only one who leads the Order. He is called the Grand Master.

Grand Cordon: The Highest Honor

The Grand Cordon is usually given to other kings, queens, heads of state, generals, and important diplomats. The Belgian Royal Family often gives Grand Cordons to its own members as special wedding gifts.

This high honor is also given to ambassadors, cardinals, famous artists, and high-ranking government officials. For the Commander level and higher, the decision must be approved by the Council of Ministers.

What the Medals Look Like

The collar (chain) of the Order is made of gold. It has nine crowns, nine "LR" monograms (which stand for "Leopoldus Rex" or King Leopold I), and eighteen lions.

The badge is a white cross with points, like a Maltese Cross. It is made of silver for the Knight level and gold for the higher levels. Green leaves are placed between the arms of the cross. In the middle of the front side, there is a lion on a black background. On the back, there is the "LR" monogram. Both sides are surrounded by a red ring with the motto "Unity Is Strength" in French and Dutch. A crown sits on top of the cross. For military awards, crossed swords are under the crown. For maritime awards, crossed anchors are there. The civil awards have no swords or anchors.

The plaque (star) for the Grand Cordon is an eight-pointed silver star. For the Grand Officer, it's a silver cross with straight rays. Both have the lion in the center with the motto.

The ribbon is usually plain purple. But sometimes, special symbols are added to the ribbon:

Crossed swords are added if the award is given during wartime.
A gold border or stripe can be added for very brave or important actions during war.
A silver or gold star can be added for good deeds or if the person was mentioned for bravery.

Since 1921, people who receive the Order (unless it's for wartime service) have to buy the actual medals themselves.

How Awards Are Given

The Order of Leopold is usually given out on specific dates: April 8 (King Albert I's birthday), November 15 (King's Feast), and sometimes July 21 (Belgian national holiday). These awards recognize great service to Belgium, based on a person's career and age.

The Belgian government department for Foreign Affairs manages these national awards. They also advise on special cases.

Military Awards

The Order of Leopold with crossed swords is mostly given to military personnel. It is awarded based on how long they have served. However, it can also be given for very special or brave service.

Grand Officer: Given to a Lieutenant-General after about two years in that rank, for excellent service.
Commander: Given after 35 years of good service to a general.
Officer: Given after 28 years of good service to a field officer.
Knight: Given after 20 years of good service to a commissioned officer (like a Captain). It can also be given to a non-commissioned officer after 40 years of service.

There is no minimum age for military awards.

Maritime Awards

The Order with crossed anchors is given only to people in the merchant navy. Members of the Belgian Navy receive the military version. This award is not given very often anymore.

Civilian Service Awards

The Knight's Cross of the Order of Leopold can be given to workers in the private or public sector. This is for people who have worked for 55 years.

Similar Awards in Other Countries

The Order of Leopold is similar to other important awards around the world. It is designed much like the French system of honors. Here are some examples of similar awards:

The French Légion d'Honneur is France's highest honor and has similar levels.
The British Order of the Bath is a high British award given to many people.
The Dutch Order of the Netherlands Lion is similar for civilian awards.
The Norwegian Order of St. Olav is Norway's highest honor and has similar levels.