Order of the Dannebrog (Denmark)

Grand Cross Insignia
The Kongehuset ©

The Order of Dannebrog is one of Denmark's two Orders. Unlike the Order of Elephant, this honor has multiple grades and is given to a wide range of people due to their service to Denmark. This is the honor most commonly given to citizens of Denmark.

Given For:

Given for "Meritorious civil or military service, for a particular contribution to the arts, sciences or business life, or for those working for Danish interests"

Given To:

This honor is given to a wide group of people: Government officials, military, emergency services, judges, diplomatics etc. The various ranks are given often given when one achieves a certain rank or length of service. 

The highest grade, Grand Commander, is given to Senior Denmark Royals or Foreign Monarchs related to the Denmark Monarch (I.e. Norway & Sweden). 

Most members of the Denmark Royal Family are given the higher Order of Elephant. But, more extended members of the Denmark Royal Family may be given this honor in the Grand Cross rank. 

Grades

There are 4 classes of this honor, with 6 grades total. Below are the Grades in English/ Danish (Post Nominal Letters).

• Special class
• Grand Commander/ Storkommandør (S.Kmd.)
• Limited to current Monarch + 7 people
• First Order class
• Grand Cross/ Storkors (S.K.)
• Second Order class
• Commander 1st Class/ Kommandør af 1. grad (K.1)
• Commander/ Kommandør (K.)
• Third Order class
• Knight 1st Class/ Ridder af 1. grad (R.1)
• Knight/Ridder (R.)

Insignia

There is slightly different insignia to mark each grade. The insignia must be returned upon the holder's death. 

Insignia for Men (Grade Knight through Grand Cross)
Skjoldbro, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

• Grand Commander – wears the badge with diamonds on a necklet (gentlemen) or on a bow (ladies), plus the star on the left chest;
• Grand Cross – wears the badge on a collar or on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left chest;
• Commander 1st Class – wears the breast cross on the left chest, plus (for gentlemen) the badge on a neck ribbon;
• Commander – wears the badge on a neck ribbon (gentlemen) or on a bow (ladies);
• Knight 1st Class – wears the badge on a ribbon (gentlemen) or on a bow (ladies) with rosette on the left chest;
• Knight  – wears the badge on a ribbon (gentlemen) or on a bow (ladies) on the left chest.

There is small Rosette (pin) of the Order, which is worn at more informal situations. 

Prince Felix and Prince Nikolai wearing the Rosette of the Order.
The Kongehuset ©

Current Grand Commanders

There can be a maximum of 8 Grand Commanders at a time. The honor is given to senior members of the Denmark Royal Family, along with Nordic Monarchs. 

Given During Queen Margrethe's Reign

#	Royal	Year	Position	Event
1	Queen Margrethe	1971	Monarch	Became Grand Master upon her accession
2	King Carl Gustaf of Sweden	1975	Monarch	State Visit to Denmark
3	King Harald of Norway	1991	Monarch	State Visit to Denmark
4	Princess Benedikt	1993	Sister of Monarch	25th Wedding Anniversary
5	Crown Prince Frederik (Later King Frederik)	January 2014	Heir	New Years
6	Prince Joachim	April 2014	Son of Monarch	Queen's Birthday

Given During King Frederik X's Reign

#	Royal	Year	Position	Event
7	Queen Mary	2024	Consort	King's Birthday
8	Vacant	-	-	-