Belgian Order of the Crown

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Belgium's Order of the Crown is now the second highest Order of Knighthood, ranking junior only to the Order of Leopold. King Leopold II originally established the Order of the Crown in 1897 for contributing to the civilisation of the Belgian Congo. It was intended to recognise heroic military actions and distinguished services to the Congo Free State (often in the fight against slavery). 

 

In 1908, it became part of the Belgian Honour System and awarded for distinguished services to the Belgian State. This can include artistic, scientific or literary achievements, developement of trade or industry, etc. It is still awarded to recognise significant social and economic contributions to the developement and enhancement of Belgium.

 

The Order may also be awarded to foreign nationals, as well as to diplomatic and military personnel of other countries whey they have contributed to the enhancement and development of Belgium.

 

CLASSES

The Order of the Crown is awarded by Royal Decree 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 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.

 

 

DESCRIPTION

The badge of the Order is a white-enamelled Maltese cross 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 enamelled background; the reverse central disc has the face-to-face monogram "L" (for King Leopold II) on a blue enamelled background. The badge is suspended from a green-enamelled wreath of laurel and oak 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), 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, 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 recipient 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, palms, 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.

 

 

Here is a World War II example of the Knight Class:

 

 

 

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