Order of Saint-Charles

The Order of Saint Charles (French: Ordre de Saint Charles) is a dynastic order of knighthood established in Monaco on 15 March 1858.[1][2]

Order of Saint Charles
Ordre de Saint Charles
Grand Cross badge of the order
Awarded by Prince of Monaco
EligibilityCitizens of Monaco and foreigners
Awarded forMerit and services to the State or Prince.
StatusCurrently constituted
SovereignPrince Albert II
ChancellorRaoul Biancheri, Plenipotentiary Minister
GradesKnight Grand Cross
Knight Grand Officer
Knight Commander
Knight Officer
Knight
Precedence
Next (higher)None (highest)
Next (lower)Order of the Crown

Ribbon bar of the Order of St. Charles
Grand Officer insignia of the Order of Saint Charles

Award

This order rewards service to the State or Prince.[1][2] In particular cases, it may be granted to foreigners. It is awarded by the current Sovereign, Prince Albert II.

Reception

Except for Members of the Princely Family and foreigners, one can only receive the Order first with the rank of Knight. To be awarded the following higher ranks, one must keep the lower rank for a set length of time:

  • Officer: four years as a Knight
  • Commander: three years as an Officer
  • Grand Officer: four years as a Commander
  • Grand Cross: five years as a Grand Officer

Nominations belong to the Sovereign. The Chancellor proposes promotions. According to the Prince's orders, the Chancellor proposes the projects of nomination and promotion ordonnances. The grantees must be received in the Order before wearing the decorations. The Grand-Master receives the Grand Crosses, Grand Officers and Commanders. The Chancellor receives the Officers and Knights. Foreigners are admitted to the Order, but not received.

Funeral honours

  • Commanders, Officers and Knights are honoured in the choir of the church and warded by four carabiniers in ceremonial uniform and weapon commanded by a Sub-Officer.
  • Grand Crosses and Grand Officers are honoured outside the church, at the beginning and end of the funeral ceremony, by 24 carabiniers in ceremonial uniform and weapon commanded by an Officer.

Classes and design

Knight Grand Cross

The Knight Grand Cross wears the badge of the order on a sash and the star of the order on the left of the breast.[2] There is a golden necklet that is attached to the Order. It has small empty egg-shaped sections that form the necklet. The badge is sometimes worn attached to this collar instead of the sash.

Knight Grand Officer

Star of the Order

The Grand Officer wears a badge and a star.[2] The Star of the Order of St. Charles is made of silver.[2] The badge of the Order of St. Charles is worn on a chest ribbon with rosette or on a bow. The star is worn on the right side of the chest.

Knight Commander

The Commander of the Order of St. Charles wears the badge on a ribbon around the neck or on a bow on the left shoulder.[2]

Knight Officer

The Officer of the Order of St. Charles wears the badge on a chest ribbon with a rosette. The cross has a thinner laurel-wreath than the Knight of the Order of St. Charles.

Knight cross of the Order of St Charles

Knight

The Knight of the Order of St. Charles wears the badge of the order on a chest ribbon without rosette.

Ribbon bars
Grand Cross
Grand Officer
Commander
Officer
Knight
  • Sovereign Ordonnance of 16 January 1863 about the Order of Saint-Charles (modified) : Text (French)
  • Sovereign Ordonnance of 16 January 186 establishing the statutes of the Order of Saint-Charles (modified) : Text (French)
  • Sovereign Ordonnance n° 125 of 23 April 1923 concerning the insignias of the Order of Saint-Charles : Text (French)

Notable recipients

Granted by Rainier III, Prince of Monaco

Granted by Albert II, Prince of Monaco

Granted by Rainier III, Prince of Monaco

Granted by Albert II, Prince of Monaco

Granted by Rainier III, Prince of Monaco

Granted by Albert II, Prince of Monaco

See also

Literature

  • Paul Hieronymussen, "Orders, medals and decorations of Britain and Europe", London 1975

References

  1. "Palais - Order of St. Charles". Archived from the original on 3 October 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
  2. "UK - Order of St. Charles". Retrieved 4 January 2008.
  3. https://journaldemonaco.gouv.mc/var/jdm/storage/original/application/c9547cd7f94b4275cce028eb89a8c65b.pdf
  4. Video of the state visit of Monaco in Lithuania 15 October 2012
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