Order of the White Double Cross
The Order of the White Double Cross (Slovak: Rad Bieleho dvojkríža) is the highest state decoration of the Slovak Republic.
Order of the White Double Cross
Rád Bieleho dvojkríža
foreign persons
Services to Slovakia
Currently constituted
H.E. Peter Pellegrini
Grand Cross
Grand Officer
Commander
H.Em. Jozef Tomko (1994)
H.E. Katerina Sakellaropoulou (6 September 2022)
186 (total)
49 (1st Class)
92 (2nd Class)
45 (3rd Class)
None (highest)
The Order was instituted on 1 March 1994 after Slovakia became independent on 1 January 1993. It continues the Czechoslovak Order of the White Lion, which was created in 1922 as an award for foreigners.
The Order of the White Double Cross is conferred only upon foreign citizens, with the sole exception of the current President of Slovakia, who is awarded the Order by the National Council for the duration of their term of office upon inauguration.
According to the Order's statute, it is awarded:
The Order of the White Double Cross has two divisions, civil and military, and three classes:
Insignia[edit]
The star is an eight-pointed gold breast star, with golden straight rays between the points of the star. The central disc on the star has a white double cross on a red enamel background, which is surrounded by a gold wreath of laurel and oak leaves.
The badge of the Order is of the same design as the star, although smaller. Furthermore, the upper point is missing and the badge is suspended on a stylized leaf of a common lime tree, with or without the crossed swords of the Military Division.
The ribbon of the order is blue with a red central stripe.