Monaco National Day 2012: The Orders of Monaco

In light of Monaco's upcoming National Day on Monday, I thought some of you might be interested in the different orders of the Principality. Here they are, in orders of Precedence:
Clicking the link will take you to a photograph of what the order looks like.

The Order of St. Charles was created by decree on March 15, 1858, and modified December 23, 1966. This medal rewards merit and acknowledges service to the State or Prince.

There are five categories of merit :

• Knight-Grand Cross
• Grand Officer
• Commander
• Officer 
• Knight

Family Members whom have received this order are:

• Prince Albert II (13 March 1979, Grand Cross) (Grand Master since 6 April 2005)
• Princess Charlene (17 November 2012, Grand Cross)
• Princess Caroline of Hanover (Unknown Date, Grand Cross)
• Prince Rainier (9 May 1949-6 April 2005, Grand Master)

The Order of The Crown was created by decree on July 20, 1960 and modified December 23, 1966. This medal is awarded to those people, who have done something exceptional or by their exceptional conduct.

There are five categories of merit :

• Knight-Grand Cross
• Grand Officer
• Commander
• Officer 
• Knight

Family Members who have received this order are:

• Prince Albert II (6 April 2005, Grand Master)

The Order of Grimaldi was created by decree on November 18, 1954 and modified July 19, 1960 and again on December 23, 1966. This medal is to reward those people who have contributed to the prestige of the Principality with distinction.

There are five categories of merit :

• Knight-Grand Cross
• Grand Officer
• Commander
• Officer 
• Knight

Family Members who have received this order are:

• Prince Albert II (6 April 2005, Grand Master)
• Princess Caroline of Hanover (19 November 2005, Grand Cross)
• Princess Stephanie (19 November 2005, Grand Cross)
• Baroness Elisabeth-Anne de Massy ( Unknown Date/Category, But I'm fairly certain she's received it in the last 5-6 years)

The Order of Cultural Merit was created by decree on December 31, 1952. This medal is to reward those people with distinction, who have participated in the arts, letters and science through their work or teaching in Monaco. Or have contributed in those areas and extended the intellectual influence of the Principality, even outside of Monaco.

There are three categories of merit :

• Commander
• Officer 
• Knight

Family Members who have received this order are:

• Prince Albert II (6 April 2005, Grand Master)
• Princess Caroline of Hanover (10 November 2005, Commander)

The Medal of Honor was created by decree on February 5th 1894, and modified April 20, 1925 and again November 13, 1952. This metal is awarded for exceptional devotion to duty in the civil and military service.

There are three categories of reward:

• Gold
• Silver 
• Bronze

The Monaco Red Cross Medal  was created by decree on October 16, 1950. It is awarded to those for their devotion and exceptional service to the Red Cross, either on a national or international level.

There are three categories of reward:

• Gold
• Silver 
• Bronze

Citation for Exceptional Service
This award has been established the April 7, 1951 and modified December 23, 1966. This citation is awarded for exceptional service, acts of courage or for devotion to duty and exceptional service by the military in the service of the Prince. This clip is worn on top of the ribbon on the 'medal of honor' first category.

There are four different categories of clips:

• Gold
• Silver gilt
• Silver 
• Bronze

The Monaco Blood Donor Medal was created by decree on July 30, 1993. This medal is awarded to those blood donors for their devotion and merits.

There are three categories of merit:

• Silver gilt
• Silver
• Bronze

Side, semi-related note:

Like last year, numerous events can be watched online.

The Schedule:

Sunday, 18 November at  8:30PM Monaco time, 2:30PM US Eastern: Fireworks display

Monday, 19 November:

 10AM Monaco time, 4AM US Eastern: Te Deum Mass

11:30AM Monaco time, 5:30AM US Eastern: Military Parade (family balcony apperance)