Order of the Crown - Definition and Overview

Knight's Medal of the Order of the Crown

The Order of the Crown is an order of Belgium which was first created in the year 1897. The Order of the Crown was created under the authority of Leopold II of Belgium and was originally intended to denote heroic deeds and service achieved while serving in the Belgian Congo. In 1908, the Order of the Crown was made a national decoration of Belgium and made a decoration for any service to the Belgian state.

The Order of the Crown is issued in a wide variety of degrees. In total, there five classes of the actual order, two "Palms" which are considered as separate awards, a Gold Medal, and a Silver Medal. The most commonly bestowed version of the Order of the Crown is the Knight’s degree of the Order of the Crown.

The following is listing of the various degrees to the Order of the Crown

• Grand Cross
• Grand Officer
• Commander
• Officer
• Knight
• Golden Palm
• Silver Palm
• Gold Medal
• Silver Medal

The Order of the Crown is also eligible for bestowal to foreign nationals and is frequently awarded to military and diplomatic personnel of other countries stationed in 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 occupation.

The Order of the Crown is similar in appearance to the Order of Leopold and is considered the lesser ranking of the two decorations.