Order of Orange-Nassau
Encyclopedia
The Order of Orange-Nassau is a military and civil order of the Netherlands which was created on 4 April 1892 by the Queen regent Emma of the Netherlands, acting on behalf of her under-age daughter Queen Wilhelmina
. The Order is a chivalry order open to "everyone who have earned special merits for society". These are people who deserve appreciation and recognition from society for the special way in which they have carried out their activities. The order is comparable with the Order of the British Empire
in the UK
.
, as Grand Duke of Luxembourg
, created the Order of the Oak Crown
. Although this was officially not a Dutch order, honours were regularly conferred on Dutch people
. After the death of William III
, Luxembourg became an independent state. There was a need for a third order, beside the military Order of William
and Order of the Netherlands Lion, so that royal honours could be conferred upon foreign diplomats and people from lower ranks and classes.
During World War II
, the Order of Orange-Nassau was bestowed upon both members of the Netherlands military and members of foreign services who had helped liberate the Netherlands from Nazi Germany
occupation. In the modern age, the Orange-Nassau is still the most active military and civil decoration of the Netherlands, and ranks after the Order of the Netherlands Lion. The Order is typically awarded each year on the Queen's official birthday (April 30th) with thousands of appointments to the Order made public. The Order is also used to honour foreign princes, ministers, dignitaries and diplomats.
In 1994, the Dutch honours system was extensively revised after almost thirty years of discussion. This revision by law intended to create a more democratic honour system, disconnecting the level of the honours from rank and social status. In principle, since then everyone in Dutch society can be honoured. An honour is only awarded on the basis of special, personal merits for society. Before this revision the Order consisted of five grades with additional Honorary Medals (gold, silver and bronze). The Honorary medals were only affiliated with the Order and bearers were not formally included in the Order. In 1996, the Honorary medals were abolished and replaced by the Member Class of the Order of Orange-Nassau, which is reserved only for Dutch citizens.
on the badges, and the latter by crossed swords on both the badges and the stars.
The King
or Queen Regnant
of the Netherlands is the Grand Master of the Order of Orange-Nassau. In addition to this special grade, the Order of Orange-Nassau is issued in six classes.
The following grades exist for the Order of Orange-Nassau
For the grades of Knight and Member, the badges are made only of silver. For the other grades, the silver is gilded. The badges has a diameter of 60 mm for the grades of Grand Cross, Grand Officer and Commander; a diameter of 46 mm for the grades of Officer and Knight; and only 35 mm for the grade Member.
Until 1996, the Order of Orange-Nassau consisted of five grades. In addition, Honorary medals were issued in gold, silver and bronze, which were only affiliated with the Order. The bearers of the medal were not included in the Order. Since 1996, the Honorary medals are not awarded anymore and have been replaced by the 6th grade "Member".
, in gilt
for the officers and above, in silver for knights and members. The obverse central disc has the lion from the Dutch coat-of-arms of the Netherlands in gold and blue enamel, surrounded by a white enamel ring bearing the Dutch national motto Je Maintiendrai (I shall maintain). The reverse central disc has the crowned monogram "W" (for Queen Wilhelmina
) surrounded by the motto God Zij Met Ons (God be with us). The badge hangs from a royal crown. The civil division has a wreath of laurel
between the arms of the cross; the military division has crossed swords instead. The badge is attached to a ribbon which is orange with white and blue border stripes. The way the badge and ribbon should be worn differs between men and women.
The star of the Order is a silver star with straight rays, in 8 points for Grand Cross and in 4 points for Grand Officer; the central disc has the lion from the Dutch coat-of-arms of the Netherlands in gold and blue enamel, surrounded by a white enamel ring bearing the Dutch national motto Je Maintiendrai. The military division has crossed swords.
Wilhelmina of the Netherlands
Wilhelmina was Queen regnant of the Kingdom of the Netherlands from 1890 to 1948. She ruled the Netherlands for fifty-eight years, longer than any other Dutch monarch. Her reign saw World War I and World War II, the economic crisis of 1933, and the decline of the Netherlands as a major colonial...
. The Order is a chivalry order open to "everyone who have earned special merits for society". These are people who deserve appreciation and recognition from society for the special way in which they have carried out their activities. The order is comparable with the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
History
In 1841 William II of the NetherlandsWilliam II of the Netherlands
William II was King of the Netherlands, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and Duke of Limburg from 7 October 1840 until his death in 1849.- Early life and education :...
, as Grand Duke of Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
, created the Order of the Oak Crown
Order of the Oak Crown
The Order of the Oak Crown is an Order of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.-History:The Order of the Oak Crown was instituted by the Grand Duke-King William II, in 1841...
. Although this was officially not a Dutch order, honours were regularly conferred on Dutch people
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
. After the death of William III
William III of the Netherlands
William III was from 1849 King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg until his death and the Duke of Limburg until the abolition of the Duchy in 1866.-Early life:William was born in Brussels as son of William II of the Netherlands and...
, Luxembourg became an independent state. There was a need for a third order, beside the military Order of William
Order of William
The Military William Order, or often named Military Order of William , is the oldest and highest honour of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Order's motto is Voor Moed, Beleid en Trouw...
and Order of the Netherlands Lion, so that royal honours could be conferred upon foreign diplomats and people from lower ranks and classes.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Order of Orange-Nassau was bestowed upon both members of the Netherlands military and members of foreign services who had helped liberate the Netherlands 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. In the modern age, the Orange-Nassau is still the most active military and civil decoration of the Netherlands, and ranks after the Order of the Netherlands Lion. The Order is typically awarded each year on the Queen's official birthday (April 30th) with thousands of appointments to the Order made public. The Order is also used to honour foreign princes, ministers, dignitaries and diplomats.
In 1994, the Dutch honours system was extensively revised after almost thirty years of discussion. This revision by law intended to create a more democratic honour system, disconnecting the level of the honours from rank and social status. In principle, since then everyone in Dutch society can be honoured. An honour is only awarded on the basis of special, personal merits for society. Before this revision the Order consisted of five grades with additional Honorary Medals (gold, silver and bronze). The Honorary medals were only affiliated with the Order and bearers were not formally included in the Order. In 1996, the Honorary medals were abolished and replaced by the Member Class of the Order of Orange-Nassau, which is reserved only for Dutch citizens.
Grades
The Order of Orange-Nassau has two divisions, civil and military, the former denoted by a wreath of laurelBay 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...
on the badges, and the latter by crossed swords on both the badges and the stars.
The King
King
- Centers of population :* King, Ontario, CanadaIn USA:* King, Indiana* King, North Carolina* King, Lincoln County, Wisconsin* King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin* King County, Washington- Moving-image works :Television:...
or Queen Regnant
Queen regnant
A queen regnant is a female monarch who reigns in her own right, in contrast to a queen consort, who is the wife of a reigning king. An empress regnant is a female monarch who reigns in her own right over an empire....
of the Netherlands is the Grand Master of the Order of Orange-Nassau. In addition to this special grade, the Order of Orange-Nassau is issued in six classes.
The following grades exist for the Order of Orange-Nassau
- Grand Cross - badge may be worn on a sash on the right shoulder, plus an 8-pointed star on the left chest;
- Grand Officer - badge may be worn by men on a necklet, and by women worn on a ribbon tied as a bow at the left chest. Also a 4-pointed star is worn on the left chest;
- Commander - badge may be worn by men on a necklet, and by women worn on a ribbon tied as a bow at the left chest;
- Officer - wears the badge on a ribbon with a rosette on the left chest;
- Knight - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
- Member (since 1996) - wears a smaller badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
- Honorary Medals in Gold, Silver and Bronze (until 1996) - no longer issued, replaced by grade "Member". Wore the medal on a ribbon on the left chest.
For the grades of Knight and Member, the badges are made only of silver. For the other grades, the silver is gilded. The badges has a diameter of 60 mm for the grades of Grand Cross, Grand Officer and Commander; a diameter of 46 mm for the grades of Officer and Knight; and only 35 mm for the grade Member.
Until 1996, the Order of Orange-Nassau consisted of five grades. In addition, Honorary medals were issued in gold, silver and bronze, which were only affiliated with the Order. The bearers of the medal were not included in the Order. Since 1996, the Honorary medals are not awarded anymore and have been replaced by the 6th grade "Member".
| Ribbon bars of the Order of Orange-Nassau | ||
| Grand Cross | Grand Officer | Commander |
| Officer | Knight (since 1996) |
 (until 1996: Knight bar) |
| Golden medal (until 1996) |
Silver medal (until 1996) |
Bronze medal (until 1996) |
Insignia
The badge of the Order is a blue-enamelled, white enamel-bordered Maltese CrossMaltese 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...
, in gilt
Gilding
The term gilding covers a number of decorative techniques for applying fine gold leaf or powder to solid surfaces such as wood, stone, or metal to give a thin coating of gold. A gilded object is described as "gilt"...
for the officers and above, in silver for knights and members. The obverse central disc has the lion from the Dutch coat-of-arms of the Netherlands in gold and blue enamel, surrounded by a white enamel ring bearing the Dutch national motto Je Maintiendrai (I shall maintain). The reverse central disc has the crowned monogram "W" (for Queen Wilhelmina
Wilhelmina of the Netherlands
Wilhelmina was Queen regnant of the Kingdom of the Netherlands from 1890 to 1948. She ruled the Netherlands for fifty-eight years, longer than any other Dutch monarch. Her reign saw World War I and World War II, the economic crisis of 1933, and the decline of the Netherlands as a major colonial...
) surrounded by the motto God Zij Met Ons (God be with us). The badge hangs from a royal crown. The civil division has a 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...
between the arms of the cross; the military division has crossed swords instead. The badge is attached to a ribbon which is orange with white and blue border stripes. The way the badge and ribbon should be worn differs between men and women.
The star of the Order is a silver star with straight rays, in 8 points for Grand Cross and in 4 points for Grand Officer; the central disc has the lion from the Dutch coat-of-arms of the Netherlands in gold and blue enamel, surrounded by a white enamel ring bearing the Dutch national motto Je Maintiendrai. The military division has crossed swords.
Notable Recipients
- Ernesto BurzagliErnesto BurzagliErnesto Burzagli CB was a prominent figure in the Kingdom of Italy during the early 20th century. During a lifetime career in the Italian Royal Navy , he rose to the rank of Admiral and Chief of Staff...
(1873–1944), Italian. - M. C. EscherM. C. EscherMaurits Cornelis Escher , usually referred to as M. C. Escher , was a Dutch graphic artist. He is known for his often mathematically inspired woodcuts, lithographs, and mezzotints...
(1898–1972). - Carel WillinkCarel WillinkAlbert Carel Willink was a well known Dutch painter who called his style of Magic realism "imaginary realism".Willink was born in Amsterdam, the eldest son of the mechanic Jan Willink and Wilhelmina Altes...
(1900-1983) - Sir Eric Miller (rubber industrialist)
- Stephen GalattiStephen GalattiStephen Galatti was for many years the Director General of the AFS, American Field Service. He transformed the AFS from a volunteer medical corps during World Wars I and II into an international educational exchange service that has profoundly transformed the lives of thousands of young people...
, Director of AFS, American Field Service - Manfred F.R. Kets de VriesManfred F.R. Kets de VriesManfred F.R. Kets de Vries is a clinical professor of leadership development at INSEAD, where he holds the Raoul de Vitry d'Avaucourt Chair of Leadership Development...
, clinical professor of leadership development at INSEADINSEADINSEAD is an international graduate business school and research institution. It has campuses in Europe , Asia , and the Middle East , as well as a research center in Israel...
. - Eugene KingsaleEugene KingsaleEugene Humphrey "Gene" Kingsale is a former Major League Baseball player with the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, and Detroit Tigers from until...
. - Calvin MaduroCalvin MaduroCalvin Gregory Maduro is a retired professional baseball player. He played 5 years in Major League Baseball between and . He is currently a scout for the Baltimore Orioles.- Playing career :...
. - Sidney PonsonSidney PonsonSidney Alton Ponson is a Major League pitcher who is currently a free agent. According to the Atlantic League website Ponson was placed on the "Retired" list as of June 18, 2010. Ponson stands at 6'1" tall and weighs 260 pounds. He throws right-handed...
. - Johannis de RijkeJohannis de RijkeJohannis de Rijke was a Dutch civil engineer and a foreign advisor to the Japanese government in Meiji period Japan.-Early life:...
, 1911. - Ben VerwaayenBen VerwaayenBernardus Johannes Maria "Ben" Verwaayen is a Dutch businessman. On September 2, 2008 the Alcatel-Lucent board of directors appointed Verwaayen as the company’s Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Patricia Russo.-Early life:...
, 2006. - Bernard WagenaarBernard WagenaarBernard Wagenaar was a Dutch/American composer, conductor and violinist.Wagenaar, not related to the Dutch composer Johan Wagenaar, was born in Arnhem. He studied at Utrecht University before starting his career as a teacher and conductor in 1914. He moved to the USA in 1920, where he became a...
(1894–1971), American composer - Henri WassenberghHenri WassenberghHenry Abraham Wassenbergh , known to his friends and colleagues as "Or" Wassenbergh, is a Dutch academic, professor of law, and writer.Wassenbergh earned a law degree from the University of Amsterdam in 1950...
, 1969.
- Job CohenJob CohenMarius Job Cohen is a Dutch social democratic politician and former legal scholar of Jewish background. Since 2010 he has been the leader of the Labour Party and since June 17, 2010 he has been a member of the House of Representatives, where he also is the Parliamentary group leader of the Labour...
(Knight, 2003), leader of the Dutch Labour PartyLabour Party (Netherlands)The Labour Party , is a social-democratic political party in the Netherlands. Since the 2003 Dutch General Election, the PvdA has been the second largest political party in the Netherlands. The PvdA was a coalition member in the fourth Balkenende cabinet following 22 February 2007...
(PvdA) and member of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands - Tijs Michiel Verwest aka TiëstoTiëstoTijs Michiel Verwest, , known as Tiësto , is a Dutch musician, DJ and record producer of electronic dance music. Although he has used many aliases in the past, he is best known for his work as DJ Tiësto...
(Officer, 2004), a Dutch musician, DJ and record producer of electronic dance music - Hester van EeghenHester van EeghenHester van Eeghen is a Dutch designer of leather bags, wallets and accessories.- Life :Hester van Eeghen was born in Amsterdam, the youngest of five children. Her family has been involved in the arts in The Netherlands in one way or another since the 17th century...
, (Knight, 2008) Dutch designer - Armin van Buuren (Officer, 2011), Dutch musician, DJ and producer of electronic dance music
- Giovanni van BronckhorstGiovanni van BronckhorstGiovanni Christiaan van Bronckhorst OON , known as Gio in Spain, is a retired Dutch footballer of Moluccan descent who served as the captain of the Dutch national team from August 2008 until his retirement....
(Knight, 2010), former captain of the Dutch national football team - Bert van MarwijkBert van MarwijkBert van Marwijk OON is the coach of the Netherlands national football team. He also played for Go Ahead Eagles, AZ, MVV, Fortuna Sittard, and other clubs, as well as for the Dutch national team. In 1982, he began his transition into coaching, retiring as a player in 1988 and becoming a full time...
(Knight, 2010), coach of the Netherlands national football team. - Bloeme Evers-EmdenBloeme Evers-EmdenBloeme Evers-Emden is a Dutch Jewish teacher and child psychologist who extensively researched the phenomenon of "hidden children" during World War II and wrote four books on the subject in the 1990s...
(born 1926), Dutch child psychologist and author of four books about "hidden children" during The Holocaust; honor conferred 1991 - Russell ShortoRussell ShortoRussell Shorto is an American author, historian and journalist, best known for his book on the Dutch origins of New York City, The Island at the Center of the World...
(born 1959), U.S. journalist and author, knighted 2009 - Clarence SeedorfClarence SeedorfClarence Clyde Seedorf OON is a Dutch footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Serie A club Milan. Seedorf is the first player to have won the Champions League with three different clubs - Ajax in 1995, Real Madrid in 1998 and Milan in 2003 and 2007...
(born 1976 - Knight, 2011), Dutch footballer who plays as midfielder for Italian club AC Milan. - Herman Spanjaard (Knight, 2011), Chairman of the Dutch affiliate of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear WarInternational Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear Waris a non-partisan federation of national medical groups in 63 countries, representing tens of thousands of doctors, medical students, other health workers, and concerned citizens who share the common goal of creating a more peaceful and secure world freed from the threat of nuclear annihilation...
(IPPNW). - Cornelius Tesselaar (1912-–1986), Born in Wijk an Zee in Holland, arrived in Australia in 1939. Became one of Australia's largest floriculturists. Knighted in 1982 in recognition of services to the Dutch Community in Australia
- Louis van GaalLouis van GaalAloysius Paulus Maria "Louis" van Gaal OON is a Dutch football manager formerly in charge of Ajax, Netherlands, Barcelona, AZ and Bayern Munich...
(born 1951 - Knight, 1997), a successful Dutch manager as well as one of the world’s best managers. - Angus HoustonAngus HoustonAir Chief Marshal Allan Grant "Angus" Houston AC, AFC is a retired senior commander of the Royal Australian Air Force and was the Chief of the Defence Force from 4 July 2005 until his retirement on 3 July 2011...
(Commander, 2011), chief of the Australian Defence ForceAustralian Defence ForceThe Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
for working on the coopoeration between Australian and Dutch forces in Uruzgun Province, Afghanistan. - Edwin van der SarEdwin van der SarEdwin van der Sar OON is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for AFC Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United. He is the most capped player in the Netherlands national football team's history...
(Officer, 2010), Former Dutch goalkeeper who most notably played for AFC Ajax and Manchester United as well as the Dutch national football team - Anne van den BanAnne van den BanProf. dr. ir. Anne Willem van den Ban is a Dutch scholar, whose work on Agricultural Extension is well-known throughout the world.-Bio:...
(Officer, 2011) Dutch scholar in the field of rural sociologyRural sociologyRural sociology is a field of sociology associated with the study of social life in non-metropolitan areas. It is the scientific study of social arrangements and behaviour amongst people distanced from points of concentrated population or economic activity...
and communication science - Marcelo EbrardMarcelo EbrardMarcelo Luis Ebrard Casaubón is the current Head of Government of the Federal District since December 5, 2006. He is a Mexican politician affiliated to the Party of the Democratic Revolution who served as Secretary-General of the former Mexican Federal District Department, minister of public...
(born 1959 - Grand Officer, 2011) Head of Government of the Mexican Federal District. Knighted in recognition of his policies on behalf of society.
See also
- Military William Order
- Order of the Netherlands Lion
- Dutch Cross of ResistanceDutch Cross of ResistanceThe Verzetskruis 1940–1945 is one of the highest possible decorations that exist within the Kingdom of the Netherlands....