Order of Orange, Cross of Merit

1815–1914 (Modern era to the First World War)

The Order of the House of Orange was established in 1905 to reward individuals who have rendered distinguished service to the King or Queen and His or Her House. The Cross of Merit of the Order of the House of Orange is awarded in gold and silver. The Cross of Merit awarded to ladies is smaller (34 mm) than the version awarded to gentlemen (38 mm) and hangs from a stylised bow. The Cross of Merit has not been awarded since 1969.

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General

Start date	1905
End date	1969
Captions	voorzijde: [kroon] W; keerzijde: JE MAINTIENDRAI
Dimensions [width]	38 mm
Material	gilt silver, silver
Number	78 (gold); 165 (silver); 8 (gold, ladies’); 6 (silver, ladies’)

Background

Institutional decision	Royal Decree of 19 March 1905
Additions	Royal Decree, 30 November 1969
Objective	As a reward for services “rendered to Us and Our House”
(Historical) context
Producer	Royal Desire
Bibliography	Orders and Decorations of the Netherlands, 118–119; For Us and Our House. More than a hundred years of the House Order of Orange 1905–2005 (2011)
Note	The Cross of Merit of the House Order of Orange is awarded in gold and silver. The Cross of Merit awarded to women is smaller (34 mm) than the version awarded to men (38 mm) and hangs from a stylised bow.