Order of the Golden Lion of the House of Nassau (Luxembourg & Netherlands)

Disquatufais, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 

This honor is given out by Luxembourg and Netherlands, as they are two branches of the same royal house (House of Nassau). 

In Luxembourg, this is the country's highest honor. It is bestowed by the Grand Duke and is  awarded to sovereigns, princes of sovereign houses and heads of state for meritorious service to Luxembourg and the Grand Duke.

In the Netherlands, this honor is a a personal gift by the Monarch. The honor is given to members of the royal family and people who has rendered special service to the Royal House.

Grades: 

• Knight

The honor originally only had one grade, Knight. King William III add more grades in 1873 and another in 1888. These additions were not approved by Prince Adolph, the Duke of Nassau (Later Grand Duke of Luxembourg) and never used in Luxembourg. The extra grades were abolished by Prince Adolph after William III's death. 

Insignia

A knight wears the order's badge on a sash on the right shoulder, and the plaque (breast star) of the order on the left chest.

Robert Prummel at Dutch Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Order of the Netherlands Lion

Matti Blume (CC BY-SA or GFDL), via Wikimedia Commons

The Order of the Netherlands Lion is a order of chivalry founded by William I of the Netherlands in 1815.

The award is given for: Those with merits of a very exceptional nature for society.

Grades

• Knight Grand Cross
• Reserved for members of the Royal Family, foreign Heads of State and a select group of former prime ministers, ministers and cardinals. 
• Child of the monarch are usually given the honor on their 18th Birthday. 
• Commander
• Usually conferred upon Dutch Nobel Prize winners, a few distinguished artists, writers and politicians. 
• Knight 
• Brother
• No longer issued. Last awarded in 1960 and abolished in 1994.

Insignia of the Order

Insignia of different grades
Robert Prummel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The insignia of the Order (from top to down): breast star and badge on sash for the Grand Cross rank, badge suspended on necklet together with breast badge for the Commander rank, and badge on a ribbon for the Knight rank