Order of the Dannebrog

The Order of the Dannebrog (Danish: Dannebrogordenen)^[3] is a Danish order of chivalry instituted in 1671 by Christian V. Until 1808, membership in the Order was limited to fifty members of noble or royal rank,^[4] who formed a single class known as White Knights to distinguish them from the Blue Knights who were members of the Order of the Elephant.^[5] In 1808, the Order was reformed and divided into four classes. The statute of the Order was amended in 1951 by a Royal Ordinance so that both men and women could be members of the Order. Today, the Order of the Dannebrog is a means of honouring and rewarding the faithful servants of the modern Danish state for meritorious civil or military service, for a particular contribution to the arts, sciences or business life, or for working for Danish interests.

Order of the Dannebrog
Dannebrogordenen

Chivalric order with six grades, one grade augmentation, and one related decoration

12 October 1671^[2]

Kingdom of Denmark

White with red edges

Gud og Kongen
(Danish for 'God and the King')

Meritorious civil or military service, for a particular contribution to the arts, sciences or business life, or for those working for Danish interests

Currently constituted

Christian V

Frederik X

Grand Commander (S.Kmd.)
Grand Cross (S.K.)
Commander 1st Class (K.1)
Commander (K.)
Knight 1st Class (R.1)
Knight (R.)

Order of the Elephant

Medal of Merit

Decoration of the Cross of Honour of the Dannebrog

Special class

diamonds

First Order class

Second Order class

Third Order class

rosette

Cross of Honour[edit]

The Dannebrogordenens Hæderstegn (Cross of Honour of the Order of the Dannebrog) in modern times is only awarded to Danes on whom the Order of the Dannebrog has already been bestowed. It is also worn by members of the Danish royal family. Its badge is similar to the badge of the Order, but all in silver. It is worn on a ribbon (by gentlemen) or bow (by ladies), with rosette, on the left chest.

Revocation[edit]

It is possible for membership in the Order to be revoked. Before 1808, membership had only been revoked on two occasions – Peder Griffenfeld who was charged with treason, and Samuel Christoph von Plessen (1640–1704) who was charged with looting and gross misconduct. In more recent times, it has been revoked on the basis of criminality, such as Peter Adler Alberti (1910), Erik Ninn-Hansen (1995), Peter Brixtofte (2008) and Christian Kjær (2019). Foreigners have also had their membership revoked. Several prominent Nazi officials, such as Hermann Göring and Konstantin von Neurath, were awarded the Order, but it was later revoked.^[15]