Orders and coats of arms

The Maison grand-ducale de Luxembourg awards two orders, both created in the 19th century: the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau and the Order of Civil and Military Merit of Adolphe of Nassau.

The Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau

The Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau is the noblest distinction of the Maison grand-ducale and, at the same time, the highest Luxembourg decoration.

This distinction can be conferred on members of Royal Houses and heads of state for meritorious services to the Grand Duke and the country of Luxembourg.

The order was created in 1858, following an agreement concluded between William III, King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and Duke Adolphe of Nassau, in commemoration of the 1255 division of the House of Nassau into two branches (Walramian and Ottonian) and as a testament to their good relationship 600 years later. The order is shared by the two branches of the House of Nassau.

The Order of Civil and Military Merit of Adolphe de Nassau

Created by Adolphe, Duke of Nassau, the Herzoglich Nassauischer Militär- und Civil-Verdienst-Orden Adolphs von Nassau (Order of Civil and Military Merit of Adolph of Nassau) was instituted by ducal order on 8 May 1858.

The order was named in reference to one of his namesake ancestors, Adolphe of Nassau, the King of Germany who reigned from 1292 to 1298.

The Grand Duke is the Grand Master of the Order, which is intended to reward individuals who have distinguished themselves by their loyalty and meritorious services to the Grand Duke, the Maison grand-ducale and the country.

By way of the Grand Ducal orders dated 23 February and 23 June 2001 and signed at the Grand Ducal Palace of Luxembourg, Grand Duke Henri has established his small, medium and great coat of arms.

Small coat of arms

Quarterly, in I and IV the arms of Luxembourg, barry of ten Argent and Azure, a lion rampant, queue forchee and saltired Gules, armed, langued and crowned Or, in II and III the arms of Nassau, Azure semy of billets Or, a lion crowned Or, armed and langued Gules.

The shield is surmounted by a royal crown.

Medium coat of arms

The small coats of arms increased by supports, a dexter lion crowned, regardant, queue forchee and saltired Or, armed and langued Gules and a sinister lion crowned Or, armed and langued Gules.

Great coat of arms

Quarterly, in I and IV the arms of Luxembourg, barry of ten Argent and Azure, a lion rampant, queue forchee and saltired Gules, armed, langued and crowned Or, in II and III the arms of Nassau, Azure semy of billets Or, a lion crowned Or, armed and langued Gules. On an escutcheon of pretence the arms of Bourbon-Parma, Azure three (two, one) fleurs-de-lis Or within a bordure Gules charged with eight shells Argent.

The shield is surmounted by a royal crown and encircled by the ribbon and the cross of the Order of the Oak Crown.

The supporters are a dexter lion crowned, regardant, queue forchee and saltired Or, armed and langued Gules and a sinister lion crowned Or, armed and langued Gules, both lions holding the Luxembourg flag fimbriated Or.

All is surrounded by a purpure mantle doubled with ermine, bordered, fimbriated and tied Or and surmounted by a royal crown, the flags are surpassing the mantle.