Order of the Crown (Netherlands)

The Order of the Crown (Dutch: Kroonorde) is a house order of the Dutch Royal House. The order came into being as a result of Queen Juliana's reorganization of the Order of the House of Orange (Huisorde van Oranje) in 1969. The 18 classes of the House order were no longer felt to be appropriate in the ever more egalitarian Dutch society of the 1960s. The Order was divided into five subdivisions. As a house order it is not subject to ministerial responsibility or influence, but is awarded at the discretion of the Dutch monarch alone.

Contents

• List of current members Grand Cross
• By decree of King Willem Alexander
• Insignia
• References

The Order of the Crown is intended for "foreigners who have rendered special service to the Dutch King or his House". The former queen, Beatrix, instituted a silver medal to commemorate state visits.

The Order of the Crown has the traditional five grades and three medals. This allows the Dutch monarch to dispense the decorations according to rank especially during state visits.

Diana, Princess of Wales received the Grand-cross order of the Order of the Crown, whereas Charles, Prince of Wales has also been given the (higher ranking) Grand-Cross of the Order of Oranje-Nassau.