Order of Saint Charles
The Order of Saint Charles (French: Ordre de Saint Charles) is a dynastic order of chilvalry established in Monaco on 15th March 1858 by Prince Charles III. This order rewards merit and service to the State or the person of the Ruling Prince and is Monaco's highest order. Except for Members of the Princely Family and foreigners, the recipient is awarded the Order first with the rank of Knight. They be awarded the following higher ranks after the previous rank has been kept for at least a set length of time. There appears to be little history behind the founding of the Order, except that he new Order wasn't Charles III's most lasting legacy. The famous Monte Carlo Casino - founded after an idea of Charles III's mother, another Princess Caroline - was named after him. The Order was named after St Charles Borromeo who was a sixteenth-century Archbishop of Milan. He was a member of the Milan branch of the Medici family and his uncle was Pope Pius IV. Charles III selected St Charles Borromeo as his personal patron saint and dedicated one of the Principality's churches to him as well as the Order. |
Ironically, a collateral descendant of the Saint, Beatrice Borromeo, is Pierre Casiraghi's wife and therefore Princess Caroline of Monaco's daughter-in-law. She has not been awarded the Order yet. Exchanging membership in distinguished orders with heads of state in the days of Prince Charles III was one his wise diplomatic initiatives. It served the Prince well to award honours as he started to build up relationships with powerful countries including Russia. The influential Tsar of Russia, Alexander, became the first royal to receive the order of Saint Charles. So successful was this initiative that, in 1877, Charles III appointed Jean Planchet to be the first diplomatic representative and Consul of Monaco in Saint Petersburg. During his mission, Jean Planchet contributed to the signing of a number of important agreements with Russia. Traditionally, the Reigning Prince presents the Orders each year as part of the ceremonies marking the Principality's national holiday. This has been 19th November - Saint Rainier's day - since the reign of Rainier III and has been maintained by Albert II, instead of moving it, like his predecessors, on his own birthday. |
Order of the Crown
The Order of the Crown can be called a house order because only the reigning prince, not the government of Monaco, can decide who is appointed.
It has similar statutes to the Order of Saint Charles in that entry to the Order is at the grade of Knight except for the Ruling Family and foreigners. In fact, some would argue that the SAME statutes were used, just changing the name of the Order.
Rather than being a combination of the national colours of red and white, the Riband to the order of the Crown has a slim central red stripe on a rather 'unfetching' background of olive green. Equally ironically, the Order had never been awarded since its creation until the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince (Prince's Company of Riflemen) received it on the occasion of its bicentenary in 2017 from the hands of the present Reigning Prince. He made the announcement in a speech on Friday 17th November 2017 during the National Day celebrations when awards in general presented. |
Before proceeding with the presentation of the decorations intended for you, I would finally like to announce a quite remarkable event.
This year will in fact, for the first time, see the award of a distinction that has never been awarded before: the Order of the Crown. Created in 1960 by Prince Rainier III, my Father, this Order intends to “pay exceptional public homage to eminent merits”. On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of its creation, I felt that the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince was obviously fully eligible to be the first to enter this order.
This will be the subject of a specific ceremony which will take place this Sunday, during the taking of arms on the Place du Palais. As a preliminary, I am happy to note the presence, in your ranks, of the Superior Commander of the Public Force.
To all of you, I express my very sincere and warm congratulations.
Thank you.
Order of Grimaldi
The Order of Grimaldi (usually called in French Ordre de Grimaldi but officially Ordre des Grimaldi according to the Decree) was instituted on 18th November 1954 by Prince Rainier III. It is awarded to people who have contributed to the prestige of the Principality with distinction. As the Order rewards personal service to the Sovereign Prince of Monaco, it is awarded at the sole discretion of the Grand-Master, currently Albert II, Prince of Monaco and may also be considered a house order. Again, it makes use of the same statutes as other Monegasque Orders, although, by tradition, members of the Order wearing the decorations are additionally honoured by the Carabiniers with an order to arms. |
Both of Prince Albert's twin children, Gabriella and Jacques, have been awarded the Order of Grimaldi. Princess Charlene 'only' has the Order of Saint Charles, which Princess Caroline holds too, along with the Order of Cultural Merit. Proncess Stéphanie does not hold the Order of Saint Charles but does hold the Order of Grimaldi, which she often wears as a medal, as well as being Chancellor of the of the Monaco Red Cross Medal.
Order of Cultural Merit
The Order of Cultural Merit (French: Ordre du Mérite Culturel) was established by Prince Rainier III on 31st December 1952 by Sovereign Order 689. It is awarded to recognise those who have made a distinctive contribution to the arts, letters or science through their work or teaching in Monaco. It may also be awarded to recognise individuals in those areas who have extended the intellectual influence of the Principality, even from outside Monaco. Holders of the Order must have reached the age of 40. Unlike the other Monegasque orders, the Order of Cultural Merit did not receive but five ranks but three. There is no Grand Cross or Grand Commander, but simply has the ranks of Commander, Officer and Knight. |
Every year, on the eve of our national holiday, it is my great pleasure to award the Order of Cultural Merit to those whose work brings honour to the Principality.