House Order of Orange

The House Order of Orange was founded on March 19, 1905 by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands as a reward for the services rendered to the House of Orange and reformed in 1969 by Queen Juliana . Since then it has been awarded in three departments.

The order before 1969

Order classes

The order was donated in five classes, with the fifth class being divided into two levels.

Order decoration

The medal is a red enameled golden Latin cross with outwardly curved arms. Between the arms of the cross there is a wreath of orange leaves. On the front of the medallion is the coat of arms of the House of Orange with the motto of the order in gold letters JE MAINTIENDRAI (French for “I will receive” or “preserve”). On the reverse the crowned initial of the founder W (Wilhelmina).

Carrying method

The grand cross is carried with a sash from the left shoulder to the right hip and an eight-pointed silver breast star . Grand officers wear a six-pointed breast star and a neck medal , commanders only wear the same. Officers and knights decorate the medal on the ribbon on the left chest. For knights of the second class, the medal is made of silver.

Orange is the color of the ribbon.