Order of Merit of the Portuguese Royal House
The Order of Merit of the Portuguese Royal House (Portuguese: Ordem do Mérito da Casa Real Portuguesa or Ordem do Mérito da Causa Monárquica) is a dynastic order of knighthood for extraordinary services rendered to the Portuguese Royal House and for outstanding Merit in the Monarchist Cause.[1][2][3]
Order of Merit of the Portuguese Royal House | |
---|---|
Type | Dynastic Order |
Country | Portugal |
Royal house | House of Braganza |
Religious affiliation | Roman Catholic |
Grand Master | Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza |
![]() Ribbon of the order |
The Order also conferred the Medal of dedication to the Monarchist Cause, Youth Medal of dedication to the Monarchist Cause and Youth Medal of Fidelity, though these are now suppressed through a reform carried out by the Grand-Master.[2][4]
The Royal Patron is the Head of the Portuguese Royal House. The Chancellor of the Order is Dr. José António da Cunha Coutinho, Baron of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira.[2]
History
The Order was founded by decree of 12 April 1993 by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Bragança, Dom Duarte Pio.[1][2][5] as a way to reward extraordinary services rendered to the Portuguese Monarchical Cause and for exceptional merit in the Monarchical Cause between 1973 and 1993.
The Order confers the following traditional ranks of Knighthood of the Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House of Braganza namely:
- Grand Collar
- Grand Cross
- Commander
- Knight/Dame
- Medal of Honour
References
- "Cruz de Mérito da Casa Real Portuguesa" (in Italian). Real Academia Sancti Ambrosii Martyris. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
- "Chanceler da Ordem da Cruz de Mérito da Casa Real Portuguesa - Dr. José António Cunha Coutinho, Barão de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira". familiacunhacoutinho. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
- "Ordem de Mérito da Casa Real". APAM (in Portuguese). 19 April 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
- "Order of Merit Portuguese Royal House / Ordem de Mérito". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
- "Ordem de Mérito da Casa Real". APAM (in Portuguese). 19 April 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2019.