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