![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/Placa_Orden_de_Carlos_III_AEAColl.jpg/640px-Placa_Orden_de_Carlos_III_AEAColl.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Order of Charles III
Order of chivalry of Spain / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III, originally Royal and Much Distinguished Order of Charles III (Spanish: Real y Distinguida Orden Española de Carlos III, originally Spanish: Real y Muy Distinguida Orden de Carlos III) was established by the King of Spain Charles III by means of the Royal Decree of 19 September 1771, with the motto Virtuti et mérito. Its objective is to reward people for their actions in benefit to Spain and the Crown.
![]() | You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Spanish. (December 2009) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
Order of Charles III | |
---|---|
![]() Star and sash of the Order | |
Awarded by ![]() the King of Spain | |
Type | Order of merit, Knighthood |
Established | 1771; 253 years ago (1771) |
Royal house | House of Bourbon |
Motto | VIRTUTI ET MERITO ("Virtue and Merit") |
Awarded for | Actions in benefit to Spain and the Crown |
Status | Currently Constituted |
Sovereign | King Felipe VI |
Grand Chancellor | Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister |
Grades | Knight/Dame of the Collar Knight/Dame Grand Cross Commander by Number Commander Knight's/Dame's Cross |
Precedence | |
Next (higher) | None. Although the Order of the Golden Fleece is recognized by the Spanish State, and awards of it are made by Royal Decrees countersigned by the Prime Minister and published in the Official Bulletin of the State, it is considered a Dynastic Order and not strictly a State Order, being thus set apart from the rest of the Spanish honours system, and the regulations of the Order of Charles III expressly declare it to be the highest civilian award of the State. |
Next (lower) | Order of Isabella the Catholic |
![]() Sash & ribbon of a Collar grade member of the order ![]() Sash & ribbon of an ordinary member of the order |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/Carlos_III_con_el_h%C3%A1bito_de_su_Orden_%28Palacio_Real_de_Madrid%29.jpg/640px-Carlos_III_con_el_h%C3%A1bito_de_su_Orden_%28Palacio_Real_de_Madrid%29.jpg)
In theory, the Order of Charles III is the highest civil honor granted by the Kingdom of Spain (the Order of the Golden Fleece is a dynastic order, not under the control of the State); however, its statutes reserve their membership primarily to political appointees, heads of State and high-ranking government officials. For this reason, the de facto highest civil honor in Spain is the Order of Isabella the Catholic.[1]