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Order of Merit of the Italian Republic facts for kids

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Order of Merit of the
Italian Republic
Stemma OMRI.png
Emblem of the order
Awarded by the Italian Republic
Type Order of merit
Established 3 March 1951; 74 years ago (1951-03-03)
Country Italy
Eligibility Civilian and military divisions
Criteria Meritorious service or achievement
Status Currently constituted
Founder Luigi Einaudi
Grand Master President of the Republic
Grades
  • Knight Grand Cross with Collar
  • Knight Grand Cross
  • Grand Officer
  • Commander
  • Officer
  • Knight
Post-nominals OMRI
Precedence
Next (higher) None
Next (lower) Military Order of Italy
Cavaliere OMRI BAR.svg
Ribbon of the order
Ordine al merito della Repubblica Italiana
Commander's badge with a ribbon bow

The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (in Italian, Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana) is Italy's highest award for special achievements. It was created in 1951 by Luigi Einaudi, who was the second President of Italy.

This important award is given to people who have done great things for their country. This includes achievements in science, writing, art, business, public service, and helping others. It also honors long and excellent service in both civilian and military jobs. When someone receives this award, they can use the letters OMRI after their name.

This new order took the place of older national awards like the Civil Order of Savoy and the Order of the Crown of Italy.

How Awards Are Given

Awards are usually given out twice a year. One date is June 2, which is the anniversary of Italy becoming a Republic. The other is December 27, the day the Italian Constitution was officially announced. However, sometimes awards can be given at other times, especially if they are for foreign leaders or for people finishing their service.

The special badge for the order was updated in 2001. On one side, it has the words "Al Merito della Repubblica" (To the Merit of the Republic) around Italy's national symbol. On the other side, it has the Latin phrases "Patriæ Unitati" (for the union of the country) and "Civium Libertati" (for the liberty of the citizens) around the head of Italia turrita, a symbol of Italy.

The President of Italy, who is the head of all Italian awards, decides who receives the Order. This is usually done with a suggestion from the Prime Minister. Normally, a person's first award cannot be higher than a Knight. People usually need to be at least 35 years old to receive this honor.

Different Levels of the Order

The Order of Merit has six different levels, or "grades," that people can receive. Each level has its own special ribbon and badge. Here are the grades and how many people had received them by June 2, 2020:

Ribbon
(1951–2001)		 Ribbon
(since 2001)		 Class (English) Full title in Italian Awards
Cordone di gran Croce di Gran Cordone OMRI BAR.svg ITA OMRI 2001 GC-GCord BAR.svg Knight Grand Cross with Collar Cavaliere di Gran Croce Decorato di Gran Cordone Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana 201
Cordone di gran Croce OMRI BAR.svg ITA OMRI 2001 GC BAR.svg 1st Class / Knight Grand Cross Cavaliere di Gran Croce Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana 9,178
Grande ufficiale OMRI BAR.svg ITA OMRI 2001 GUff BAR.svg 2nd Class / Grand Officer Grande Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana 24,830
Commendatore OMRI BAR.svg ITA OMRI 2001 Com BAR.svg 3rd Class / Commander Commendatore Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana 48,184
Ufficiale OMRI BAR.svg ITA OMRI 2001 Uff BAR.svg 4th Class / Officer Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana 33,442
Cavaliere OMRI BAR.svg ITA OMRI 2001 Cav BAR.svg 5th Class / Knight Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana 146,390

Who Receives the Highest Honor?

The highest level, the Knight Grand Cross with Collar, is usually given only to heads of state (leaders of countries). Many important people from around the world have received this special award. For example, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom received it in 1958. More recently, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands received it in 2017, and King Charles III of the United Kingdom received it in 2025.

Wearer's guide

  • Divisa.OMRI.1

    Wearer's guide for each grade (1951–2001)

  • Divisa.OMRI.2

    Wearer's guide for each grade (2001–present)

Gallery

  • OrdMeritRepubbItal

    Comparison of the pre-2001 (at left) and the post-2001 (at right) badges of the Order

  • Collection of all Orders of Merit of the Italian Republic (Pre-2001)

    All grades of the Order (pre-2001)

  • Italy - Order of Merit of the Italian Republic - All Grades

    Five grades of the Order

  • Italy - Order of Merit of the Italian Republic - Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight and Document (Pre-2001)

    The pre-2001 grades of the Order

  • Italy - Order of Merit of the Italian Republic - All five grades sets (Pre-2001)

    Knight, Officer, Commander, Grand Officer and Grand Cross grades

  • Italy - Order of Merit of the Italian Republic - Knight & Officer sets (Pre-2001)

    Knights and Officer Classes of the Order

  • Italy - Order of Merit of the Italian Republic - Knight and Officer grades (Pre-2001)

    Knight 5th Class and Officer 4th Class grades

  • Italy - Order of Merit of the Italian Republic - Knight & Officer (Pre-2001)

    Sets of the Knight and Officer classes

  • Italy - Order of Merit of the Italian Republic - Commander grade (Pre-2001)

    Commander 3rd Class of the Order

  • Italy - Order of Merit of the Italian Republic - Commander (Pre-2001)

    Commander set in case

  • Italy - Order of Merit of the Italian Republic - Commander set (Pre-2001)

    3rd Class set of the Order

  • Italy - Order of Merit of the Italian Republic - Grand Officer set (Pre-2001)

    Bestowal document of a Grand Officer grade with the insignia

  • Italy - Order of Merit of the Italian Republic - Grand Officer (Pre-2001)

    Grand Officer set of insignia with the bestowal document

  • Italy - Order of Merit of the Italian Republic - Grand Cross set

    Grand Cross set of insignia

  • Italy - Order of Merit of the Italian Republic - Grand Cross (Pre-2001)

    The Grand Cross grade of the Order in case of issue

  • Order of Merit of the Italian Republic grand cross collar badge (Italy 1954-1960) - Tallinn Museum of Orders

    Collar of the Order (pre-2001)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Orden al Mérito de la República Italiana para niños

  • Orders, decorations, and medals of Italy
  • Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus
  • Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation
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