| Order of the Dannebrog Dannebrogordenen | |
|---|---|
 Order of the Dannebrog, Breast Star of the Grand Cross, unofficial model | |
Awarded by.svg) Sovereign of Denmark[1] | |
| Type | Chivalric order with six grades, one grade augmentation, and one related decoration |
| Established | 12 October 1671[2] |
| Country |  Kingdom of Denmark |
| Ribbon | White with red edges |
| Motto | Gud og Kongen (Danish for 'God and the King') |
| Criteria | Meritorious civil or military service, for a particular contribution to the arts, sciences or business life, or for those working for Danish interests |
| Status | Currently constituted |
| Founder | Christian V |
| Grand Master | Frederik X |
| Grades | Grand Commander (S.Kmd.) Grand Cross (S.K.) Commander 1st Class (K.1) Commander (K.) Knight 1st Class (R.1) Knight (R.) |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Order of the Elephant |
| Next (lower) | Medal of Merit |
| Related | Decoration of the Cross of Honour of the Dannebrog |
 Grand Commander
 Knight Ribbon bars of the Order | |
TheOrder of the Dannebrog (Danish:Dannebrogordenen)[3] is aDanishorder of chivalry instituted in 1671 byChristian V, inspired by the legend that theDannebrog flag fell from the sky in 1219. The Order's ribbon reflects the flag's colors, white and red, and the badge takes the form of the Dannebrog cross, as used in the royal arms since the 17th century.[4]
Until 1808, membership in the Order was limited to fifty members of noble or royal rank,[5] who formed a single class known asWhite Knights to distinguish them from theBlue Knights who were members of theOrder of the Elephant.[6] In 1808, the Order was reformed and divided into four classes.
Today, the Order of the Dannebrog is a means of honouring and rewarding the faithful servants of the modern Danish state for meritorious civil or military service, for a particular contribution to the arts, sciences or business life, or for working for Danish interests. Women have been eligible for the Order since 1951. The reigning monarch serves as Grand Master, and appointments are typically made on ministerial recommendation.[4]
Thebadge of the Order is a white enamelledDannebrog cross (i.e., across pattée, the lower arm being longer than the others) with a red enamelled border, for the Knights in silver, and for everyone else in gold or silver gilt. At the top of this cross is theroyal cypher of the bestowing monarch, crowned with the distinctiveDanish royal crown[a] On its front, the cross bears the royal cyphers of Christian V at its centre, as well as the motto of the Order:Gud og Kongen (God and the King) on its arms. On its reverse are found the crowned royal cyphers ofValdemar II Sejr,Christian V andFrederik VI,[b] as well as the years 1219, 1671 and 1808, the years that each of them ascended the Danish throne. In each of the four angles of the cross is found a small Danish royal crown.
Thecollar of the Order is made of gold, with small enamelled Dannebrog crosses alternating with alternating crowned royal cyphers representing KingsValdemar II Sejr and Christian V, the reputed and actual founders of the Order. When the collar is worn the sash is not worn.
Thestar of the Order is an eight-pointed silver star with straight rays with an enamelled Dannebrog cross (similar to the front of the badge but without the royal cypher above and the royal crowns between the arms of the cross) at the centre.
Thebreast cross of the Order is similar to the cross on thestar but larger and with faceted silver instead of white enamel and without the silver rays of thestar.
Theribbon of the Order is white silkmoiré with red borders, thenational colours of Denmark.[2]
The Order originally had a distinctive habit worn by the knights (after 1808, by the Knights Grand Cross) on very solemn occasions. The habit consisted of a whitedoublet, whitebreeches, white stockings and white shoes, over which was worn a redmantle with a white lining and with the star of the order embroidered in silver on its left side. Over this red mantle was worn a short white shoulder cape with a standing collar embroidered in gold, upon which was worn the collar of the Order (the habit was always worn with the collar and never with the ribbon of the Order). The habit also had a black hat with aplume of white and redostrich feathers. This habit was almost identical to that worn by the knights of theOrder of the Elephant.
The Order is divided into six grades, which are grouped into four classes:
The Grand Commander grade is reserved for persons of princely origin. It is awarded only to royalty with close family ties to the Danish Royal House. The Grand Cross grade can, as a special honor, be awarded 'with diamonds' (S.K.i diam., short forStorkors i diamanter). The Order also has a related decoration, known as the Cross of Honour (D.Ht., short forDannebrogordens Hæderstegn).[2] The insignia of the Order must be returned upon the death of the holder.
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TheDannebrogordenens Hæderstegn (Cross of Honour of the Order of the Dannebrog) in modern times is only awarded to Danes on whom the Order of the Dannebrog has already been bestowed. It is also worn by members of the Danish royal family. Its badge is similar to the badge of the Order, but all in silver. It is worn on a ribbon (by gentlemen) or bow (by ladies), withrosette, on the left chest.
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Each Danish ministry has a quota of Knights and Knights 1st class that they may use at their discretion. It is most often given to high-ranking officers of thepolice,armed forces andemergency services.
Also used for politicians inFolketinget after 8 years of elected service. Ministers are given the rank of Knight 1st Class.
The rank of Commander is given to colonels, ministers and other high-ranking officials as a retirement-decoration after long service. Commander 1st class is given for admirals, generals, Supreme-court judges, ambassadors, and other governmental leaders as a retirement decoration.
The Grand Cross is most often used for admirals, generals, Supreme-court judges, ambassadors and similar as a reward for very meritorious service to Denmark.
Grand Cross with Breaststar with Diamonds[d] is most often given to high-ranking officers of the Royal Court, such asHofmarskals.
Finally, the Grand Commander grade is given only to 8 people. The reigning monarch is always a Grand Commander, and he/she may give the grade to 7 others, most often close family.
Award of the Order of the Dannebrog is often used as a tool of diplomacy. If a foreign country has an Order that they give to foreign diplomats in their country, then their diplomats in Denmark can be given an Order of the Dannebrog. To be eligible, the foreign ambassador must have resided in Denmark for at least three years.
| Diplomatic rank | Rank of the Order |
|---|---|
| Ambassador | Grand Cross |
| Chargé d'Affaires e.p. (en pieds) | Commander (Commander 1st Class, if over 40 years of age) |
| Chargé d'Affaires a.i. (ad interim) | Commander or Knight 1st Class |
| Ambassador Advisor | Commander |
| 1st Embassy Secretary | Knight 1st Class |
| 2nd or 3rd Embassy Secretary | Knight |
| Defence Attachés | Depending on military rank |
| Other Attachés | Knight or Commander depending on merit |
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With the death ofKing Constantine II of Greece in 2023, one Grand Commander position is available. The number of Grand Commanders never exceed 8.
It is possible for membership in the Order to be revoked. Before 1808, membership had only been revoked on two occasions –Peder Griffenfeld who was charged with treason, andSamuel Christoph von Plessen [da] (1640–1704) who was charged withlooting and gross misconduct. In more recent times, it has been revoked on the basis of criminality, such asPeter Adler Alberti (1910),Erik Ninn-Hansen (1995),Peter Brixtofte (2008) andChristian Kjær (2019). Foreigners have also had their membership revoked. Several prominentNazi officials, such asHermann Göring andKonstantin von Neurath, were awarded the Order, but it was later revoked.[16]
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Below is a list of jewelers who have made the insignia for the Order:
| Jeweler | Period |
|---|---|
| Royal Goldsmith Poul Kurtz | 1655–1679 |
| Royal Goldsmith Ferdinand Küblich | 1670–1687 |
| Royal Goldsmith Fridrich Kurtz | 1679–1703 |
| Royal Goldsmith Pierre Tresfort | 1687–1729 |
| Royal Goldsmith Jean Henri de Moor | 1688–1696 |
| Royal Goldsmith Andreas Normand | 1700–1727 |
| Royal Jeweler Frederik Fabritius | 1746–1778 |
| Royal Jeweler Christopher Fabritius | 1778–1829 |
| Royal Jeweler Frederik Fabritius | −1832 |
| Royal Goldsmith Nicolai Christensen | ?–1832 |
| Jeweler Poul Ressen Eggersen | 1832–1841 |
| Royal JewelerAnton Michelsen | 1848– |
Anton Michelsen was made a part ofRoyal Copenhagen A/S, which is now the supplier.
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The Queen heads the two Danish Royal Orders of Chivalry, the Order of the Elephant and the Order of the Dannebrog....Any decision about the bestowal of honours continues to lie solely with the Head of the Order, but the day-to-day administration of the honours system is undertaken by the College of Arms, which forms part of the royal court
Ribbon: White with red edges...Instituted: 12 October 1671 by King Christian V...Awarded: For special deeds or conspicuous service to Denmark..Grades: 6 plus a Silver Cross – renamed Cross of Honour of the Order of the Dannebrog (Dannebrogordenens Hæderstegn) in 1952
Danmark har to kongelige ridderordener, Elefantordenen og Dannebrogordenen (Denmark has two Royal Orders of Chivalry: The Order of the Elephant, and The Order of Dannebrog)
According to those statutes, the order had only one grade called 'White Knight', corresponding to today's 'Grand Cross Knight'. The circle of knights was limited to Danish royalty and noblemen; commoners were not considered. That changed in connection with the expansion of the Order of the Dannebrog in 1808. On that occasion, the order was divided into different grades, and the circle of those decorated was widened to include common-born persons. Along with a series of lesser changes later, the decisions from 1808 continue as the formal basis for conferral of the Order of the Dannebrog. Today, Danish commoners constitute by far the largest group of those decorated
The order had one class and the members were called 'white knights' (as opposed to the Order of the Elephant's 'blue knights')
Storkommandør (S.Kmd.)
Storkommandører Kronprins til Danmark (1.1.2004)
Storkommandør af Dannebrogordenen (S.Kmd.)
Hans Majestæt Carl XVI Gustaf, Konge af Sverige (10.4.1975); Hans Majestæt Kong Harald, Norges Konge (28.10.1991); Hans Majestæt Konstantin II, fhv. Konge af Grækenland (12.3.1964)
Storkommandører, Prinsesse til Danmark (27.1.1993)
Storkommandør af Dannebrogordenen (S.Kmd.)Hjemmeværnets Fortjensttegn (Hjv.Ft.)
Storkommandører, Prins til Danmark (16.4.2004)[permanent dead link]
Storkommandør af Dannebrogordenen (S.Kmd.)
Media related toOrder of the Dannebrog at Wikimedia Commons
