Order of the Crown (Belgium) - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The Order of the Crown is an Order

Order (decoration)

An order or order of merit is a visible honour, awarded by a government, dynastic house or international organization to an individual, usually in recognition of distinguished service to a nation or to humanity. The distinction between orders and decorations is somewhat vague, except that most...

of Belgium

Belgium

Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...

which was created on 15 October 1897 by King Leopold II

Leopold II of Belgium

Leopold II was the second king of the Belgians. Born in Brussels the second son of Leopold I and Louise-Marie of Orléans, he succeeded his father to the throne on 17 December 1865 and remained king until his death.Leopold is chiefly remembered as the founder and sole owner of the Congo Free...

in his capacity as ruler of the Congo Free State

Congo Free State

The Congo Free State was a large area in Central Africa which was privately controlled by Leopold II, King of the Belgians. Its origins lay in Leopold's attracting scientific, and humanitarian backing for a non-governmental organization, the Association internationale africaine...

. The order was first intended to recognize heroic deeds and distinguished service achieved from service in the Congo Free State - many of which acts soon became highly controversial. In 1908, the Order of the Crown was made a national decoration of Belgium, junior to the Order of Leopold.

Currently, the Order of the Crown is awarded for services rendered to the Belgian state, especially for meritorious service in public employment. The Order of the Crown is also awarded for distinguished artistic, literary or scientific achievements, or for commercial or industrial services in Belgium or Africa.

The Order is also eligible for bestowal to foreign nationals and is frequently awarded to military and diplomatic personnel of other countries stationed in (or providing support to) Belgium. During the Second World War, the Order of the Crown was extensively authorized to Allied military personnel who had helped to liberate Belgium from Nazi Germany

Nazi Germany

Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...

occupation forces.

The Order of the Crown is awarded by Royal Decree.

Classes

The Order of the Crown is awarded in five classes, plus two palms and three medals:

Grand Cross, which wears the badge on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left chest;
Grand Officer, which wears a star on the left chest, and may also wear the neck badge;
Commander, which wears the badge on a neck ribbon;
Officer, which wears the badge on a ribbon with rosette
Rosette (decoration)
A rosette is a small, circular device that is presented with a medal. The rosettes are primarily for situations where wearing the medal is deemed inappropriate. Rosettes are issued in nations such as France, Italy and Japan...

on the left chest;
Knight, which wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
Golden Palms, which wears a wreath of golden palms on a ribbon on the left chest;
Silver Palms, which wears a wreath of silver palms on a ribbon on the left chest;
Gold Medal, who wears the medal on the left chest;
Silver Medal, who wears the medal on the left chest;
Bronze Medal, who wears the medal on the left chest.

Insignia

The Badge of the Order is a white-enamelled "Maltese Asterisk" (for want of a better description - see Maltese Cross

Maltese cross

The Maltese cross, also known as the Amalfi cross, is identified as the symbol of an order of Christian warriors known as the Knights Hospitaller or Knights of Malta and through them came to be identified with the Mediterranean island of Malta and is one of the National symbols of Malta...

) with straight rays, in silver for the Knight class and in gold for the higher classes. The obverse central disc has a gold crown on a blue enamel background; the reverse central disc has the face-to-face monogram "L" (for King Leopold II) on a blue enamel background. The badge is suspended on a green-enamelled wreath of laurel

Bay Laurel

The bay laurel , also known as sweet bay, bay tree, true laurel, Grecian laurel, laurel tree, or simply laurel, is an aromatic evergreen tree or large shrub with green, glossy leaves, native to the Mediterranean region. It is the source of the bay leaf used in cooking...

and oak

Oak

An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...

leaves.

The Plaque for Grand Cross is a faceted silver five-pointed star with golden rays between the branches of the star. The centre shows the obverse of a commander's cross. The plaque for Grand Officer is a faceted five-armed 'Maltese Asterisk' (see Maltese Cross

Maltese cross

), with golden rays between the arms. The centre shows the obverse of an officer's cross.

The Medal is round in gold, silver and bronze versions, with a suspension in the form of a royal crown with two pendelia and a ribbon ring. The obverse shows a finely ribbed central area with bead surround, with the royal crown superimposed. The surrounding circlet carries the motto of the Belgian Congo: Travail et Progrès (work and progress) - the later issues are bilingual including the Dutch Arbeid en Vooruitgang in the lower half of the circlet. The reverse is a stylised 'double L' crowned Leopold II monogram within a palm wreath.

The Ribbon of the order is usually plain maroon. However, if the order is awarded in special circumstances, the ribbon of the Officer and Knight classes show the following variations:

Crossed swords are added to the ribbon when awarded in wartime (if the order was awarded during the Second World War or during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...

, a small bar is added to the ribbon mentioning the name of the war);
The ribbon has a vertical gold border on both sides when awarded for a special act of valour;
The ribbon has a central vertical gold stripe when awarded for an exceptionally meritorious act;
A gold star is added to the ribbon when the recitpent has been mentioned in despatches at the national level;
Silver or gold palms are added to the ribbon when awarded in wartime to military personnel.

Stars and borders or stripes can be awarded together, but these deviations are currently only rarely awarded.

The ribbon of the palms and medals has a vertical white border on both sides as well as a metal pin showing a reduction of the palm or medal.

The Ribbon bar
Ribbon bar
Ribbon bars are small decorations that are worn by military, police, and fire service personnel or by civilians. Ribbon bars are mainly used when wearing either full decoration, or when wearing medals is considered inappropriate or impractical. Each military force has its own rules on what ribbons...

of the order, which is worn on the semi-formal dress uniform is:

Ribbon bars
Grand Cross	Grand Officer	Commander	Officer	Knight
	Golden Palms	Silver Palms
	Gold Medal	Silver Medal	Bronze Medal

Despite the fact that, contrary to the Order of Leopold, no maritime division of the Order of the Crown exists, some unofficial decorations with crossed anchors under the wreath are known to exist.

Current Award Conditions of Belgian National Orders

National Orders are awarded by Royal Decree at fixed dates: 8 April (Birthday

Birthday

A birthday is a day or anniversary where a person celebrates his or her date of birth. Birthdays are celebrated in numerous cultures, often with a gift, party or rite of passage. Although the major religions celebrate the birth of their founders , Christmas – which is celebrated widely by...

of King Albert I

Albert I of Belgium

Albert I reigned as King of the Belgians from 1909 until 1934.-Early life:Born Albert Léopold Clément Marie Meinrad in Brussels, he was the fifth child and second son of Prince Philippe, Count of Flanders, and his wife, Princess Marie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen...

), 15 November (King's Feast

King's Feast

The King's Feast has been celebrated in Belgium on November 15 since 1866. Since 2001, the Belgian Federal Parliament holds a ceremony in honour of the King, in the presence of members of the Belgian Royal Family and other dignitaries. Federal ministries are closed on this day...

), and in some cases on 21 July (Belgian national holiday) to reward meritorious services to the Kingdom of Belgium based on the career path and age of the recipient. A number of different regulations rule the award of National Order for the various ministries. In addition, the National Orders may be awarded by the King for especially meritorious deeds. The Royal Decrees are published in the Belgian Official Journal (Moniteur Belge).

The Minister responsible for Foreign Affaires, currently the Federal Public Service (SPF/FOD) Foreign Affairs

FPS Foreign Affairs Belgium

The FPS Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation , more commonly known as the FPS Foreign Affairs, is a Federal Public Service of Belgium. It was created by Royal Order on March 8, 2002, as part of the plans of the first Verhofstadt Government to modernise the federal administration...

, administers the national orders and has a role of advisor in cases not fitting within in a regulation.

For the award of National Orders for persons to which no regulation apply or has been adopted, the number of awards is limited every year by decision of the Council of Ministers (contingent).

The classes of the National Orders are integrated in a combined hierarchy defined by law, whereby within one class the Order of Leopold is senior to the Order of the Crown, which is senior to the Order of Leopold II

Order of Leopold II

The Order of Leopold II is an order of Belgium and is named in honor of King Léopold II. The decoration was established on 24 August 1900 by Leopold II as king of the Congo Free State and was in 1908, upon Congo being handed over to Belgium, incorporated into the Belgian awards system...

. Except in some specific cases, one cannot be awarded a National Order at a level below the highest that the recipient has already received (e.g. a commissioned officer who become a Commander of the Order of Leopold II because of meritorious personal service to the King before he became a Knight of the Order of Leopold may not be awarded the latter decoration or that of Officer of the Order of Leopold).

Persons who are the subject of criminal proceedings will usually not be awarded a National Order until they are declared not guilty.

Award Conditions to Military Personnel

The Order of the Crown is awarded to military personnel on the basis of their length of service, with the years of training counting for half:

Grand Officer: Awarded after 38 years of meritorious service to a general officer with minimum rank of Lieutenant-General
Belgian military ranks
The following are the ranks and insignia of the Belgian Armed Forces.The ranks are given in English, Dutch and French .-Officers:Note*The highest rank in the Military Police is Colonel....

;
Commander: Awarded after 32 years of meritorious service to a field officer
Field officer
A field officer is an army, marine, or air force commissioned officer senior in rank to a company officer but junior to a general officer; in some navies, it is an officer who is a Lieutenant Commander, Commander, or Captain....

with minimum rank of Colonel
Belgian military ranks
The following are the ranks and insignia of the Belgian Armed Forces.The ranks are given in English, Dutch and French .-Officers:Note*The highest rank in the Military Police is Colonel....

;
Officer: Awarded after 25 years of meritorious service to a commissioned officer with minimum rank of Captain
Belgian military ranks
The following are the ranks and insignia of the Belgian Armed Forces.The ranks are given in English, Dutch and French .-Officers:Note*The highest rank in the Military Police is Colonel....

;
Knight: Awarded after 15 years of meritorious service to a commissioned officer, and after 35 years of meritorious service for a non-commissioned officer
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...

;
Golden Palms: Awarded after 25 years of meritorious service to a non-commissioned officer
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...

, and after 35 years of service for a private
Belgian military ranks
The following are the ranks and insignia of the Belgian Armed Forces.The ranks are given in English, Dutch and French .-Officers:Note*The highest rank in the Military Police is Colonel....

or corporal
Belgian military ranks
The following are the ranks and insignia of the Belgian Armed Forces.The ranks are given in English, Dutch and French .-Officers:Note*The highest rank in the Military Police is Colonel....

;
Silver Palms: Awarded after 30 years of meritorious service for a private
Belgian military ranks
The following are the ranks and insignia of the Belgian Armed Forces.The ranks are given in English, Dutch and French .-Officers:Note*The highest rank in the Military Police is Colonel....

or corporal
Belgian military ranks
The following are the ranks and insignia of the Belgian Armed Forces.The ranks are given in English, Dutch and French .-Officers:Note*The highest rank in the Military Police is Colonel....

.

For awards to military personnel, there is no minimum age requirement.

Award Conditions for Long Civilian Service

The Palms and the Medals of the Order of the Crown can be awarded to private sector employees as well as some public sector employees such as prison supervisors, ushers

Court usher

A court usher is a position in a law court. Tasks generally performed by court ushers involve escorting participants to the courtroom and seeing that they are suitably hydrated, as well as ensuring the secure transaction of legal documents within the court room and deciding the order of cases. The...

, burgomaster

Burgomaster

Burgomaster is the English form of various terms in or derived from Germanic languages for the chief magistrate or chairman of the executive council of a sub-national level of administration...

s, police commissioner

Police commissioner

Commissioner is a senior rank used in many police forces and may be rendered Police Commissioner or Commissioner of Police. In some organizations, the commissioner is a political appointee, and may or may not actually be a professional police officer. In these circumstances, there is often a...

s, local police officer

Police officer

A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...

s, or members of town councils.

Golden Palms: Awarded after having worked for 45 years, or at the time of retirement after having worked for a minimum of 40 years;
Gold Medal: Awarded after having worked for 35 years.

In addition, the Gold Medal, the Silver Palms and the Golden Palms are awarded to the presidents, secretaries and members of the board of directors of representative trade organisations such as trade unions on the basis of the number of members of the organisation, of the length of their membership of the board, and on the length of their tenure within the board.

The Knight's Cross of the Order of the Crown is also awarded to the members of the national and provincial committees for the promotion of labour who have reached the age of 42 after a tenure of 10 years (national committee) or 20 years (provincial committee) and, after 30 years of service, to the secretaries of the provincial committees for the promotion of labour who have reached the age of 62.

The medal could also be awarded without the rigid 'time in service' criteria to Administrators, Directors, Department heads, Artisans, Architects, Chemists, Specialist Craftsmen, etc. each case for an award assessed on an individual basis.

The bronze medal appears to have be confined mainly to the Caucasian workers of the Belgian Congo

Belgian Congo

The Belgian Congo was the formal title of present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo between King Leopold II's formal relinquishment of his personal control over the state to Belgium on 15 November 1908, and Congolese independence on 30 June 1960.-Congo Free State, 1884–1908:Until the latter...

or Congo Free State

Congo Free State

for 11 years service, apart from a period - duration unknown - when it was also used in Belgium to reward the firemen and rural guards for 40 years service.

External links

Order of the Crown
Order of the Crown at phalerae.org
Order of the Crown at Northeastmedals
Order of the Crown Medals at Northeastmedals
Belgian Orders Before World War I (in French)
Information about Belgium orders Website BONNE & VERBEKE (in Dutch)